withersake

English

Alternative forms

• wythersake

Etymology

From Middle English withersake, from Old English wiþersaca (“adversary, enemy; betrayer; apostate”), from Proto-West Germanic *wiþrasakō, equivalent to wither- (“against”) +‎ sake. Cognate with Middle High German widersache, Modern German Widersacher (“adversary, opponent, antagonist, foe”).

Noun

withersake (plural withersakes)

1. (archaic) An apostate or perfidious renegade.
   • 1822, William Bennett, Malpas:

     "Go to with thy trade," replied Father Adrian, "I know thee not but for a lying withersake; a base pilfering waster and drawlatch; a cutting ribald moss trooper, and doer of ran and rapine; a common lecher and brawler; […]

Anagrams

• Whiteakers