athwart

²athwart

adv

Definition of ATHWART

1

: across especially in an oblique direction

2

: in opposition to the right or expected course <and quite athwart goes all decorum — Shakespeare>

Examples of ATHWART

1. <after it enters the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane is predicted to advance athwart to the Texas coastline>
2. <we hung the twisted strips of crepe paper athwart to the floor and ceiling so that they formed giant crosses on all four walls>

First Known Use of ATHWART

circa 1500

Related to ATHWART

Synonyms: across, over, through

Related Words: clear

Near Antonyms: lengthwise, longitudinally

see all synonyms and antonyms

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