Definition

Adverb: In a direction contrary to the usual course of the sun; moving counterclockwise or from right to left; often associated with traditional beliefs about bad luck or supernatural practices.

Usage Examples

• (She moved in a counterclockwise direction around the building.)
• (Dancing in a counterclockwise direction was thought to invite misfortune.)
• (Running counterclockwise around the maypole was seen as improper.)

Advanced Usage

• "to go withershins": to travel or move in a counterclockwise direction, especially in a ritualistic or superstitious context.

  • The druids performed their ceremony by processing withershins around the stone circle. (They moved counterclockwise as part of a sacred rite.)

• "withershins against the sun": a phrase emphasizing the opposite direction of the sun's apparent daily path.

  • Turning withershins against the sun was thought to reverse natural order. (Moving counterclockwise was seen as opposing the natural cycle.)

Variants and Related Words

• Widdershins (adv): a common variant spelling of "withershins," with the same meaning of counterclockwise movement.

  • The old custom of walking widdershins around a grave was meant to confuse spirits. (Moving counterclockwise was believed to have protective effects.)

• Deasil (adv): the opposite of "withershins," meaning clockwise or in the direction of the sun.

  • In contrast to withershins, deasil movement was considered auspicious. (Clockwise motion was seen as lucky.)

Synonyms

• Counterclockwise: moving in a direction opposite to the rotation of a clock's hands.
• Anticlockwise: a synonym for counterclockwise, more common in British English.

Related Idioms

• "against the sun": a phrase meaning moving in a direction opposite to the sun's apparent daily path, synonymous with withershins.

  • They danced against the sun, believing it would bring rain. (They moved counterclockwise as part of a weather ritual.)

• "the wrong way around": a general expression for moving in a direction considered incorrect or unlucky.

  • Turning the horseshoe the wrong way around was seen as inviting bad luck. (Placing it upside down or counterclockwise was unlucky.)