athwartwise
|ə-θwɔrt-waɪz|
🇺🇸
/əˈθwɔrt.waɪz/
🇬🇧
/əˈθwɔːt.waɪz/
crosswise; in a transverse manner
Etymology
'athwartwise' originates from Old English elements: 'athwart' (from Old English on ðweorh/athweorh, related to Proto-Germanic *þwer-) combined with the suffix '-wise' (Old English 'wīse') meaning 'manner'.
'athwartwise' formed in Middle English by combining 'athwart' + '-wise' (Middle English forms like 'athwart-weis' or similar), and eventually became the modern English 'athwartwise' as a rare/archaic adverb/adjective.
Initially it meant 'in a crosswise manner' (literally 'in the manner of being athwart'); over time the meaning has remained largely 'crosswise' but the word has become archaic/rare and occasionally carried a secondary sense 'contrary/against'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
placed or extending crosswise; lying across.
An athwartwise beam blocked the passage.
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Adverb 1
in a transverse or crosswise direction; across; crosswise.
The planks lay athwartwise across the deck.
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Adverb 2
in a contrary or opposing manner (archaic/rare).
He answered athwartwise to the suggestion.
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Last updated: 2025/11/11 16:52