withers
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
1580, from Old English dialectical wiðer (“against”) + -s; see with. So-named because the part of the horse that pushes against a load. Compare German Widerrist (“withers”), from wider (“against”) + Rist (“wrist”).[1]
Pronunciation [edit]
Noun [edit]
withers (plural only)
- (veterinary medicine) The part of the back of a draft animal or horse that is the highest, between the shoulder blades.
Usage notes [edit]
Although this noun refers to one object, there is no corresponding singular form *wither for this word, the singular form being obsolete.
Coordinate terms [edit]
Hyponyms [edit]
Derived terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
part of the back of a draft animal
Verb [edit]
withers
- Third-person singular simple present indicative form of wither.
