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withershins

A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology | 2004 | | Copyright

withershins, widdershins [MidHGer. widersinnes, counter-course]. To take a course opposite that of the sun, i.e. counterclock-wise, lefthandwise, or to circle an object, building, monument by always keeping it on the left. A journey begun with such a turn is thought either unlucky or given to evil intentions in much of Celtic literature, as it is in much of older European popular tradition. In English, however, the belief is so uncommon that our only word for it, withershins, comes from Scottish regional usage. Cf. the antonym, SUNWISE TURN. OIr. túaithbel; ModIr. tuathal; ScG tuathal; Manx dy kiuttagh.

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JAMES MacKILLOP. "withershins." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES MacKILLOP. "withershins." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-withershins.html

JAMES MacKILLOP. "withershins." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-withershins.html

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withershins

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

withershins
A. (Sc.) the wrong way;

B. in a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun. XVI. — MLG. weddersin(ne)s — MHG. widersinnes, f. wider- against = OE. wiðer (see WITH) + g. of sin(d), sint = OE. sīð journey, course (cf. SEND1); in sense B. with vars. -sones, -sonnis, by assoc. with SUN.

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T. F. HOAD. "withershins." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "withershins." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-withershins.html

T. F. HOAD. "withershins." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-withershins.html

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