Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Adverse, contrary.
  • adjective Opposite, opposing; hostile.
  • adverb Contrary to, against.
  • noun Opposite; adversity, opposition; hostility

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle English, from Old English wiþerweard ("contrary, adverse, hostile"), from Proto-Germanic *wiþerawarþaz (“contrary, adverse, in opposition”), equivalent to wither (“against”) +‎ -ward. Cognate with Old High German widarwart ("witherward"), Gothic 𐍅𐌹𐌸𐍂𐌰𐍅𐌰𐌹𐍂𐌸𐍃 (wiþrawairþs, "witherward").

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word witherward.

Examples

  • Yes; that is a difficulty which multiplies itself in a fearful ratio as one goes on pleasantly running down the path — witherward?

    Framley Parsonage 2004

  • They were those of the song he had sung when he arrived years before at the Three Mariners, a poor young man, adventuring for life and fortune, and scarcely knowing witherward: --

    The Mayor of Casterbridge 1887

  • They were those of the song he had sung when he arrived years before at the Three Mariners, a poor young man, adventuring for life and fortune, and scarcely knowing witherward: --

    The Mayor of Casterbridge Thomas Hardy 1884

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.