Word of the Day:

May 20, 2009

deasil

adv DEE-zil

What it Means

: clockwise

Deasil in Context

One pictograph shows a group of warriors dancing deasil around what appears to be a gigantic wild boar speared numerous times.

Did You Know?

According to an old custom, you can bring someone good fortune by walking around the person clockwise three times while carrying a torch or candle. In Scottish Gaelic, the word "deiseil" is used for the direction one walks in such a luck-bringing ritual. English speakers modified the spelling to "deasil," and have used the word to describe clockwise motion in a variety of rituals.

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