adv

athwart

Athwart (adv) means From side to side, often in an oblique manner; across or over.

adv

From side to side, often in an oblique manner; across or over.

Across the path of something, so as to impede progress.

Against the anticipated or appropriate course of something; improperly, perversely, wrongly.

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Etymology

From Late Middle English athwert, athirt, from a- (prefix meaning ‘in the direction of, toward’) + thwert (“crosswise; (cooking) across the grain”, adverb). Thwert is derived from thwert (“crosswise, transverse; counter, opposing; contrary, obstinate, stubborn”, adjective), borrowed from Old Norse þvert (“across, athwart”), originally the neuter form of þverr (“across, transverse”), from Proto-Germanic *þwerhaz (“cross; adverse”) (altered or influenced by Proto-Germanic *þweraną (“to stir; to swirl; to turn”)), from Proto-Germanic *þerh-, probably from Proto-Indo-European *terkʷ- (“to spin; to turn”). The English word is analysable as a- (prefix meaning ‘in the direction of, toward’) + thwart (“placed or situated across something else”). Cognates * Scots athort (“athwart”)

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of athwart?

"athwart" (adv) means from side to side, often in an oblique manner; across or over.

What are the different meanings of athwart?

"athwart" has 3 main meanings: 1. From side to side, often in an oblique manner; across or over; 2. Across the path of something, so as to impede progress; 3. Against the anticipated or appropriate course of something; improperly, perversely, wrongly.