witherward

Etymology

Came into English from Middle English witherward, from Old English wiþerweard (“contrary, adverse, hostile”), from Proto-West Germanic *wiþraward, from Proto-Germanic *wiþrawardaz (“contrary, adverse, in opposition”); equivalent to wither (“against”) plus -ward. It is cognate with Old High German widarwart (“witherward”), German widerwärtig (“adverse, repulsive”), and Gothic ??????????? (wiþrawairþs, “witherward”).