adv. dial. (chiefly Sc.). Forms: 6– widder-, 7– wither-, (6 widdir-, weddir-, wod(d)er-, 6, 9 wooder-); 6–9 -sins, 6– -shins, (6 -syns, -shynes, -shynnis, -son(n)is, 6, 9 -sinnis, -sones, 7 -shines, 9 -schynnes). [a. MLG. weddersin(ne)s (cf. wedersins ‘contrario modo,’ Kilian), a. MHG. widersinnes, f. wider- WITHER-1 + gen. of sin (esp. MG.) = sind, sint way, direction (see SITHE sb.1): cf. MHG. widersinnen to return. In sense 2 associated with son, SUN sb.]
† 1. In a direction opposite to the usual; the wrong way; to stand or start withershins, (of the hair) to ‘stand on end.’ Obs.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, II. xii. 26. Abaisit I wolx, and widdersyns start my hair. Ibid. Directioun of Buik 29 And on the bak half writis widdirsinnis Plentie of lesyngis.
1570. R. Bannatyne, Mem. (Bannatyne Cl.), 11. That will gar thair hartis trumbill, and thair hair stand widdirshynes.
1583. Leg. Bp. St. Androis, 704. Ane porter … to the bischop his blissing gave, Betuixt the schoulders a royall route, Turning him wodderschins about.
a. 1583. Montgomerie, Flyting, 580. Hairis blavin widdersins abauk. Ibid. (a. 1600), Sonn., xxxiii. 6. Sho … straikit bakuard wodershins my hair.
1685. G. Sinclair, Satans Invis. World, 211. His hair standing Widdershins in his head.
1721. Ramsay, I’ll never leave, v. The Starns shall gang withershins e’er I deceive thee.
2. In a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun (considered as unlucky or causing disaster).
1545. Rec. Elgin (New Spalding Club, 1903), I. 84. Sayand the said Margarat Baffour vas ane huyr and ane wyche and that sche ȝeid widersonnis about mennis hous sark alane.
a. 1583. Montgomerie, Flyting, 418. Thir venerabill virginis quhome ȝe wald call wiches … nyne tymes, wirdersones, about the thorne raid.
1596. Spalding Club Misc. (1841), I. 96. I find it wilbe ane deir yeir; the bled of the corne growis withersones; and quhan it growis sonegatis about, it wilbe ane gude chaip yeir. Ibid. (1597), 190. He is indyttit … to haue taine ane birne of the corne on his bak, and careit it thrie tymmis woodersonis abowe the kill.
1685. G. Sinclair, Satans Invis. World, 25. [In a witch-dance] the men turned nine times Widder-shines about, and the Women six times.
1725. Ramsay, Gentle Sheph., II. ii. Mausy … Rins withershins about the Hemlock Low.
1825. Scott, Talism., xxviii. While the challenger rode around the lists in the course of the sun … the defender made the same circuit widdersins.
1840. New Statist. Acc. Scot. (1845), XV. 141. The fishermen, when about to proceed to the fishing, think they would have bad luck, if they were to row the boat ‘withershins’ about.
1903. Kipling, Five Nations, 10.
| So, widdershins circling the bride-bed of death, | |
| Each fleereth her neighbour. |
