in a direction contrary to the natural one, especially contrary to the apparent course of the sun or counterclockwise: considered as unlucky or causing disaster.
1505-15; < Middle Low Germanweddersin(ne)s < Middle High Germanwiddersinnes, equivalent to wider (Old High Germanwidar) opposite (see with) + sinnes, genitive of sin way, course (cognate with Old Englishsīth); see send, -s1
British Dictionary definitions for withershins
withershins
/ˈwɪðəˌʃɪnz; Scottish ˈwɪðər-/
adverb (mainly Scot)
1.
in the direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun; anticlockwise
2.
in a direction contrary to the usual; in the wrong direction Compare deasil
Word Origin
C16: from Middle Low German weddersinnes, from Middle High German, literally: opposite course, from wider against + sinnes, genitive of sin course