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.