a. Obs. Also 5 witerward. [OE. wiþerweard (cf. OHG. widarwart, -wert, Goth. wiþrawairþs), f. wiþer-, WITHER-1 + -weard, -WARD.] Hostile, inimical.
c. 888. Ælfred, Boeth., xi. § 1. Þeah hit nu hefiʓ sie & wiðerweard.
971. Blickl. Hom., 223. Him þa hæðnan men wiþerwearde wæron.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xii. 25. Ælc ceaster oððe hus, þe byð wiþerweard onʓen hyt sylf, hyt ne stent.
c. 1200. Ormin, 9667. Wiþerrwarrd onnʓæness Godd.
c. 1205. Lay., 6875. Wið al folc he wes wiðerward.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 2935. Ðis king him his wel wiðer-ward Agen ðis folc.
13[?]. A. Davy, Dreams, 20. No strook ne ȝaf he aȝeinward To þilk þat hym weren wiþerward.
b. absol. (Cf. OE. wiþerweard adversary.)
a. 1400–50. Wars Alex., 4297. Þou wirkis bot on þa witerward, & worthis þaim ouire.
Hence † Witherwardness, hostility, enmity.
c. 897. K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., iii. 36. He wearð eft swæ unʓemetlice grædiʓ ðæs godan deaðes, butan ælcre scylde & ælcre wiðerweardnesse wið hine.
a. 1175. Cott. Hom., 233. Hatrede and widerwardnesse.
