athwart

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adverb 1.4 Preposition 1.4.1 Quotations 1.4.2 Derived terms

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From a- + thwart.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /əˈθwɔːt/

[edit] Adverb

athwart (comparative more athwart, superlative most athwart)

1. (archaic) From side to side; across.

   Above, the stars appeared to move slowly athwart.

   We placed one log on the ground, and another athwart, forming a crude cross.

2. (archaic) Across the path (of something).

[edit] Preposition

athwart

1. (archaic) From one side to the other side of.

   The stars moved slowly athwart the sky.

2. (nautical) Across the line of a ship's course or across it's deck.

   The damaged mainmast fell athwart the deck, destroying the ship's boat.

3. (archaic) Across the path or course of; opposing.
   • 1902, William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience, Folio Society 2008, p. 283:

     It is the voice of human experience within us, judging and condemning all gods that stand athwart the pathway along which it feels itself to be advancing.

[edit] Quotations

• 1816, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Kubla Khan

  But oh ! that deep romantic chasm which slanted

  Down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover !

[edit] Derived terms

• athwartships