thwartn.1
/θwɔːt/, U.S. /θwɔrt/ Now rare.
An act or instance of thwarting; a check, hindrance, obstruction, frustration.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > [noun] > thwarting or being thwarted > instance of
foilc1478
thwart1611
baffle1628
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Vent Batu de mauvais vent, crost by a contrarie, or malignant thwart.
a1626 W. Rowley New Wonder (1632) i. 11 Full oft, and many have I heard complaine Of discontents, thwarts, and adversities.
1661 J. Glanvill Vanity of Dogmatizing 81 Any considerable thwart in the Motion.
1742 H. Walpole Let. 3 Mar. in Lett. to H. Mann (1833) I. 107 The number of blows and thwarts which the French have received.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia I. ii. iii. 184 A certain discourteous person..in thwart of your fair inclinations, keepeth and detaineth your irradiant frame in hostile thraldom.
1902 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Apr. 547/1 I distrust that man—He's a thwart—a moral thwart.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
thwartn.2
/θwɔːt/, U.S. /θwɔrt/ A seat across a boat, on which the rower sits; a rower's bench.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > other parts of body of vessel > [noun] > seat in a boat > for rower(s)
thoftc1000
thawt1589
bank1595
thwart1736
oar-bench1856
zygon1888
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Thoughts, the Rowers Seats in a Boat.]
1736 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum (ed. 2) Thaughts, v. Thwarts.
1736 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum (ed. 2) Thwarts, (a Sea Term) the boards or benches laid a-cross boats and gallies, upon which the rowers sit.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Thwart, the seat or bench of a boat whereon the rowers sit to manage the oars.
1770 J. Cook Jrnl. 31 Mar. (1955) I. 283 There were a number of Thwarts laid across and lashed to each gunel as a strengthening to the boat.
1897 F. T. Bullen Cruise ‘Cachalot’ 41 We drew each man his oar across the boat and lashed it firmly down with a piece of line spliced to each thwart.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
thwartv.
/θwɔːt/, U.S. /θwɔrt/ I. To move or pass across, and related uses.† 2. To lay (a thing) athwart or across; to place crosswise; to set or put (things) across each other. thwart over thumb (quot. a1529) apparently = to cross one over the thumbs at thumb n. 5d.
1. † c. transitive. To cross the path of; to meet; to fall in with, come across. Obsolete.† d. Nautical. Of a ship, etc.: To get athwart so as to be foul of. Also intransitive. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To pass or extend across from side to side of; to traverse, cross; also, to cross the direction of, to run at an angle to. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > lie across [verb (transitive)]
thwart1413
transverse1430
overcrossa1450
overthwartc1450
traverse1555
cross1577
intercourse1597
transit1890
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) v. i. 70 A Cercle embelyfyng somwhat, and thwartyng the thycknes of the spyere.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 757/2 I thwarte the waye, I go over the waye to stoppe one, je trenche le chemyn.
1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles xviii. 10 Pericles Is now againe thwarting thy wayward seas. View more context for this quotation
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 39 You set your sailes so sharp as you can to lie close by a wind, thwarting it a league or two..first on the one boord then on the other.
1653 R. Saunders Physiognomie i. 50 If the Hepatique Line..be thwarted by other small lines.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine at Current The current thwarts the course of a ship.
1805–6 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Inferno xxv. 72 The lizard seems A flash of lightning, if he thwart the road.
1863 P. S. Worsley Poems & Transl. 10 That white reach Thwarting the blue serene, a belt of fire.
b. intransitive. To pass or extend across, to cross. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > lie across or transversely [verb (intransitive)]
thwarta1552
crossa1652
the world > space > direction > specific directions > have specific directions [verb (intransitive)] > extend across
thwarta1552
crossa1652
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [verb (intransitive)] > across
to pass overc1300
cross1486
thwarta1552
a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) VII. 47 The Towne of Cokermuth stondeth on the Ryver of Coker, the which thwartheth over the Town.
1598 J. Stow Suruay of London 357 A close cart, vayled ouer and couered with blacke, hauing a plaine white Crosse thwarting.
1609 T. Heywood Troia Britanica xiv. xciii Through the mid-throng the nearest way he thwarted.
1627 G. Hakewill Apologie Pref. sig. C5v It led them to some other way, thwarting, and vpon the by, not directly.
1856 T. Aird Poet. Wks. (new ed.) 189 They scream, they mix, they thwart, they eddy round.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (transitive)] > encounter or experience
ymetec893
findeOE
meetOE
counterc1325
overtakec1390
limp?a1400
tidea1400
runa1450
to fall with ——?c1475
onlightc1475
recounterc1485
recount1490
to come in witha1500
occur1531
to fall on ——1533
to fall upon ——1533
beshine1574
rencontre1582
entertain1591
cope with1594
happen1594
tocome1596
incur1599
forgather1600
thwart1601
to fall in1675
cross1684
to come across ——1738
to cross upon (or on)1748
to fall across ——1760
experience1786
to drop in1802
encounter1814
to come upon ——1820
to run against ——1821
to come in contact with1862
to run across ——1864
to knock or run up against1886
to knock up against1887
1601 R. Chester Loves Martyr 40 Merlin..Who by great fortunes chance sir Vlfius thwarted, As he went by in beggers base aray.
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 146 Motions to be checkt..without the least hit or stop from other bodies that thwart them.
1812 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Paradiso iv. 89 Another question thwarts thee.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > berthing, mooring, or anchoring > berth, moor, or anchor (a ship) [verb (transitive)] > anchor (a ship) > foul (cable or anchor)
foul1777
overlay1796
thwart1809
1809 Naval Chron. 24 23 The boat having thwarted against the moorings.
1810 Naval Chron. 23 97 The frigate now..thwarted the Lord Keith's hawse.
1813 Gen. Hist. in Ann. Reg. 107/1 The Amelia twice fell on board the enemy in attempting to thwart his hawse.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)]
threac897
tighta1000
beswinkc1175
punisha1325
chastise1362
paina1375
justifya1393
wage1412
reformc1450
chasten1526
thwart over thumba1529
chastifyc1540
amerce?1577
follow1579
to rap (a person) on the knuckles (also fingers)1584
finea1616
mulcta1620
fita1625
vindicate1632
trounce1657
reward1714
tawse1790
sort1815
to let (a person) have it1823
visit1836
to catch or get Jesse1839
to give, get goss1840
to have ita1848
to take (a person) to the woodshed1882
to give (one) snuff1890
soak1892
give1906
to weigh off1925
to tear down1938
zap1961
slap1968
the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > lie across [verb (transitive)] > set across
transvertc1450
thwarta1529
the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > intersection > intersect [verb (transitive)] > place across another or each other
cross1490
thwarta1529
intercross1817
a1529 J. Skelton Why come ye nat to Courte (?1545) 197 Thus thwartyng ouer thom, He ruleth all the roste.
1591 E. Spenser Virgil's Gnat in Complaints sig. K2 The noble sonne of Telamon..thwarting his huge shield, Them battell bad.
1602 R. Carew Surv. Cornwall i. f. 25v Their bils were thwarted crosse-wise at the end, and with these they would cut an Apple in two, at one snap.
1602 R. Carew Surv. Cornwall i. f. 26v The inhabitants make vse of diuers his creekes, for griste-milles, by thwarting a bancke from side to side.
1623 G. Markham Cheape & Good Husb. (1631) i. ii. 14 Carry your rod..in your right hand, the point either directly upright, or thwarted towards your left shoulder.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vii. 309 They make..the signe of the Crosse.., thwarting their two foremost fingers.
3.
a. To cross with a line, streak, band, etc. (Only in past participle.) Obsolete or archaic.
ΚΠ
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie iii. xiii. 127 The blacke line on the ridge of all Asses backes, thwarted with the like ouer both the shoulders.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey i. 63 Turbants are made like great globes of callico too, and thwarted with roules of the same.
1658 J. Rowland tr. T. Moffett Theater of Insects in Topsell's Hist. Four-footed Beasts (rev. ed.) 942 The body all over of a yellow colour, except where it is thwarted with cross streaks or lines.
1861 Temple Bar May 256 I saw Vesuvius..thwarted by a golden cloud.
b. To cross-plough; also, to cut crosswise.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)] > cross-plough
cross-ploughc1644
overthwart1667
thwart1847
to cut back1858
cross1859
1847 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 8 ii. 318 The burnt earth is then spread on the land and thwarted in (that is, ploughed across the direction in which the land is ploughed when laid up in stetches for sowing).
a1870 J. Couch Hist. Polperro (1871) vi. 117 Land broken for wheat is thwarted in the Spring.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. at Thurt Why, 'tis a wo'th vive shillings to thurt thick there butt.
1898 H. R. Haggard in Longman's Mag. Nov. 38 All my three ploughs were at work ‘thwarting’—that is crossploughing—rootland on the Nunnery Farm.
4. To obstruct (a road, course, or passage) with something placed across; to block. Obsolete exc. figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close by obstruction or block up > block the way or a passage
forsetc900
withseta1300
stop13..
speara1325
withsperre1330
to stop one's way1338
shut1362
forbara1375
beseta1400
stopc1400
precludea1513
interclude1526
to shut up1526
forestall1528
fence1535
hedge1535
quar1542
foreclose1548
forestop1566
to flounder up1576
obstruct1578
bar1590
retrench1590
to shut the door in (also upon) (a person's) face1596
barricade1606
barricado1611
thwartc1630
blocka1644
overthwart1654
rebarricado1655
to choke up1673
blockade1696
embarrass1735
snow1816
roadblock1950
c1630 T. Risdon Chorogr. Surv. Devon §269. 278 [A stream] whose course is thwarted with a damm, which we call a wear.
a1640 T. Risdon Chorogr. Surv. Devon (1811) (modernized text) §65 63 The rebellious commons..thwarted the ways with great trees.
1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey III. x. 72 What Dæmon cou'dst thou meet To thwart thy passage, and repel thy fleet?
1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality V. xvii. 25 They met with a gate that directly thwarted their passage.
1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. ii, in Poems 72 They sometimes speed, but often thwart our Course.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. v. 60 If no misadventure thwarted his progress.
II. To act or speak in opposition to, and related uses.
5.
a. To act or operate in opposition to; to run counter to, to go against; to oppose, hinder. Also absol. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (transitive)]
withgo743
to go again ——OE
withsayc1175
again-goc1275
withsitc1300
thwarta1325
to go against ——a1382
counter1382
repugnc1384
adversea1393
craba1400
gainsaya1400
movec1400
overthwart?a1425
to put (also set) one's face againsta1425
traversea1425
contrairc1425
to take again ——c1425
contraryc1430
to take against ——a1450
opposec1485
again-seta1500
gain?a1500
oppone1500
transverse1532
to come up against1535
heave at1546
to be against1549
encounter1549
to set shoulder against1551
to fly in the face of1553
crossc1555
to cross with1590
countermand1592
forstand1599
opposit1600
thorter1608
obviate1609
disputea1616
obstrigillate1623
contradict1632
avert1635
to set one's hand against1635
top1641
militate1642
to come across ——1653
contrariate1656
to cross upon (or on)1661
shock1667
clash1685
rencounter1689
obtend1697
counteract1708
oppugnate1749
retroact?1761
controvert1782
react1795
to set against ——1859
appose-
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1324 Quat-so god bad, ðwerted he it neuer a del.
c1430 [implied in: Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iv. lii. 200 Þe arguynge, ne þe thuartinge is no thing worth ayens us, ne ayens deth neither. (at thwarting n. 2)].
1530 [implied in: J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 306/2 Brablyng thwartyng or quarellyng, noyseux. (at thwarting adj. 2)].
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxxv. xxxii. 907 Such as might..not sticke to speake their minds franckly, yea, & thwart the king his embassadour.
1671 Bp. S. Parker Def. Eccl. Politie iii. 298 To what purpose does he so briskly taunt me for thwarting my own Principles.
1676 W. Allen Serious & Friendly Addr. Non-conformists 130 The danger of Schism, and the evil of thwarting publick Laws.
1783 J. O. Justamond tr. G. T. F. Raynal Philos. Hist. Europeans in Indies (new ed.) VII. 379 They had unfortunately been so much thwarted by the winds as to prevent their landing before summer.
1802 W. Paley Nat. Theol. xxvi. 527 General laws, however well set and constituted, often thwart and cross one another.
1811 L.-M. Hawkins Countess & Gertrude II. xlii. 370 The countess was not always disposed to thwart and vex: a little flattery would soothe her.
b. intransitive. To speak or act in contradiction or opposition; to be adverse or at variance, to conflict. Const. with. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > oppose [verb (intransitive)]
to stop one's way1338
contraryc1380
again-laya1382
traversec1400
to make obstaclec1425
warc1460
thwart1519
oppugn1591
oppose1599
oppone1640
throwa1700
antagonize1707
society > society and the community > dissent > quarrel or quarrelling > quarrel with [verb (transitive)]
vary1496
to fall out?1499
thwart1519
snarl1593
swagger1599
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > be unharmonious or incongruous [verb (intransitive)] > be in opposition or conflict
thwart1519
jar?1541
interferea1644
clash1646
conflict1647
collide1864
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > be unharmonious or incongruous with [verb (transitive)] > conflict with
repugn1529
confront1593
contradict1593
thwart1656
1519 W. Horman Vulgaria vi. f. 59v I wyll nat multyplie wordes or thwarte with the.
1601 J. Marston et al. Iacke Drums Entertainm. ii. sig. Dv Ist possible that sisters should so thwart In natiue humours?
1656 T. Burton Diary (1828) I. 15 This clause thwarts with his Highness's ordinances.
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. vi. 272 It would thwart with my intended Brevity.
1862 F. Hall tr. N. N. Gore Rational Refut. Hindu Philos. Syst. 42 They also accept..the Smritis, the Puránas, &c., the work of Rishis, when those books do not thwart with the Veda.
6. transitive. To oppose successfully; to prevent (a person, etc.) from accomplishing a purpose; to prevent the accomplishment of (a purpose); to foil, frustrate, balk, defeat. (The chief current sense.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > disappointment > disappoint, frustrate [verb (transitive)] > frustrate, thwart
discomfitc1230
blenk?a1400
mispoint1480
fruster1490
frustrate?a1513
disappoint1545
destitutea1563
foila1564
deceive1571
thwart1581
balka1593
discomfort1596
unwont1629
fail1634
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > thwart or foil
false?c1225
confoundc1315
blenk?a1400
matea1400
interrupt1464
blench1485
fruster?a1513
frustrate?a1513
infatuate1533
disappoint1545
prevent1555
foila1564
blank1566
thwart1581
confute1589
dispurpose1607
shorten1608
foola1616
vain1628
balk1635
throwa1650
scotch1654
bafflea1674
crossbar1680
transverse1770
tomahawk1773
throttle1825
wreck1855
stultify1865
derail1889
to pull the plug1923
rank1924
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions iv. 17 He may either proceede at his owne libertie, if nothing withstand him, or may not proceede, if he be thwarted by circunstance.
1641 Earl of Monmouth tr. G. F. Biondi Hist. Civil Warres Eng. I. v. 166 The Earle seeing himselfe twharted, resolved to fight.
?1697 J. Lewis Mem. Duke of Glocester (1789) 34 From being sometimes a little thwarted, and thro' dissatisfaction, she grew sick.
1718 Free-thinker No. 65. 2 Perpetual Obstacles..thwarted his Designs.
1803 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) II. 352 Thus are all our best plans thwarted.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. iv. 429 The party which had long thwarted him had been beaten down.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xvii. 15 But all these good intentions were thwarted by the inherent vice of his position.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
thwartadv.prep.adj.
/θwɔːt/, U.S. /θwɔrt/ A. adv.† 1. † b. figurative. Across the course of, so as to obstruct or oppose; adversely; = athwart adv. 3. Obsolete.† 3. thwart of.† b. Transversely to, across the direction of. Obsolete.
a. Across or transversely to the length, direction, or course of anything; from side to side; crosswise, transversely; = athwart adv. 1. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > [adverb]
overthwartc1300
thwarta1350
thwart-over1398
overthwartly?a1425
traversec1425
thorter1488
thwartly?1541
traversely?1541
traversewise1548
cross1577
thwartingly1579
crosswise1580
thwartwise1589
overthwartwise1594
crossly1598
traverseways1610
athwart1611
crossway1611
transversely1650
overthwartways1656
transverse1660
crossways1665
thwartways1665
transversally1762
criss-cross1843
athwart-wise1868
a1350 St. Thomas 85 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 21 A grete blak dog..Thwert in his mouth þe hand he broght.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 402/2 A man on hors backe which bare a longe tree thwarte and wold entre in to the temple, and he myght not by cause the tree laye thwarte.
1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. 24 b/1 An apertione accordinge to the length of that parte, and not thwart or crosseover.
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iii. 79 A great tree (that lay thwart as a barricado).
1664 J. Evelyn Sylva (1776) 405 Till you can lay them thwart, that the top of one may rest on the root or stub of the other.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > [adverb]
thwarta1628
hinderingly1825
impedingly1886
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > [adverb]
witherc1200
contrariouslyc1380
overthwartlya1425
adversarilyc1475
incontrary1488
incontrair?a1500
contrairly1535
thwartly1558
adversatively1571
sinisterlya1600
kim-kam1603
antagonistically1610
cross1614
oppositively1622
thwarta1628
counter1643
reverse1649
counter-bias1656
contrariwise1682
contrarily1781
antipathetically1818
opposingly1842
hostilely1876
a1628 J. Preston New Covenant (1629) v. 146 There are many things in the Creature that are crosse to vs, that fall thwart vpon vs.
1641 R. Carpenter Experience, Hist., & Divinitie ii. xi. 214 A work, that lyes thwart, and strives against the current of your naturall inclination.
2. From one side to the other of anything (with motion implied); across. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [adverb] > across
thwart1511
across1580
athwart1611
acrost1775
1511 Pylgrymage Richarde Guylforde (Pynson) f. iiij We trauersed out of that Ryuer into an other lytell ryuer whiche brought vs thawarte ayen into Latyze.
1880 T. E. Webb tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust i. i. 31 Up, down and thwart, without repose, To lead my scholars by the nose.
a. Nautical. Opposite to, over against (a place on the coast); = off prep. 7b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > opposite position > opposite [preposition]
anentOE
againOE
aforyenlOE
againsta1225
in contrary ofc1400
to-gainsc1450
fornent1524
thwart of1589
oppositea1596
vis-à-vis1847
1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 98 We were thwart of Porto Sancto.
1694 Narbrough's Acct. Several Late Voy. 16 Being thwart of the Shoals of Brazil.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > across [preposition]
thwart-overa1225
thwart1470
thorter1533
across1538
traverse1548
traverse to (also of)1548
athwart1598
transverse1607
thwart of1667
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 703 With adverse blast up-turns them from the South Notus and Afer black with thundrous Clouds..; thwart of these as fierce Forth rush the Levant and the Ponent Windes Eurus and Zephir. View more context for this quotation
B. prep.† 3. Across the course of, so as to obstruct; = athwart prep. 5. Obsolete.
1. From side to side of, across:
a. of position or direction; = athwart prep. 1b archaic or poetic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > across [preposition]
thwart-overa1225
thwart1470
thorter1533
across1538
traverse1548
traverse to (also of)1548
athwart1598
transverse1607
thwart of1667
the world > space > direction > specific directions > [preposition] > across
overeOE
atour1423
thwart1470
athwart1598
across1626
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur v. viii. 173 Lucyus smote Arthur thwart the vysage.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. x. 44 Our patrone..was..caste thwart the nose of our gallie.
1680 London Gaz. No. 1550/4 [He] hath a Scar thwart the back of one of his Hands.
1741 Order in R. Griffiths Ess. Jurisdict. Thames (1746) 87 No Person..shall..bend any Net by Anchors, or otherwise thwart the Channel, and so as to draw another Net into it.
1870 W. Morris Earthly Paradise: Pt. III 192 A pink-tinged cloud spread thwart the shore.
b. of motion: = athwart prep. 1a archaic or poetic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > specific directions > [preposition] > of motion
thwart1583
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > sideways movement or a sideways movement > sideways [preposition] > across from side to side
thoroughOE
athwartc1470
across?1540
thwart1583
1583 T. Stocker tr. Tragicall Hist. Ciuile Warres Lowe Countries iii. 91 Came three messengers thwart the fieldes in at the wood gate.
1603 J. Stow Suruay of London (new ed.) 14 Which ran..through that streete, thwart Grastreete, and downe Lumbard streete.
a1771 T. Gray tr. T. Tasso in Wks. (1814) II. 90 Thwart the road a river rolled its flood Tempestuous.
1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius Nature of Things ii. 131 When shines the God of Day, And thwart the darkened chamber darts his ray.
1898 T. Hardy Wessex Poems 2 Thwart my wistful way did a damsel saunter.
2. Across the course or direction of; = athwart prep. 3 thwart the hawse (†halse), across the stem of a ship. Chiefly Nautical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > across [preposition] > across the course or direction of
thwart1495
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [phrase] > across the stem of a ship
thwart the hawse (halse)1620
1495 Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) v. vi. sig. gv/1 Two holowe synewes whiche ben callyd Optici..come eyther thwart other, and ben Ioyned in a poynte.
1620 in W. Foster Eng. Factories India 1618–21 (1906) 220 Intending with her to laie the Portingall admirall thwart the halse and soe to burne both together.
1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea xxiv. 54 For foure Leagues into the Sea (thwart it) lye banks of sand.
1737 H. Bracken Farriery Improved viii. 91 Fibres, that cross and go thwart one another.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > so as to hinder [preposition]
thwart1641
1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 38 Crosse-jingling periods which..come thwart a setl'd devotion worse then the din of bells, and rattles.
C. adj.† 3. Opposed, contrary (to); in quot. 1614, opposed in sense, antithetical, contrasted. Obsolete.
1. Lying, extending, or passing across; transverse, cross; in quots. 1483 at sense A. 1a, 1712, perh. oblique. †thwart circle, the zodiac (obsolete). See also thwart-saw n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > fact or condition of being transverse > [adjective]
overthwart1228
thwart-overa1387
transversaryc1400
thwart1404
thwartingc1430
transversalc1440
transversantc1440
traversea1450
thorter1488
cross1523
overthwarting1552
traversed1561
traversing1561
transverse1621
overcrossa1661
transverseda1711
crossway1865
crosswise1903
1404 [implied in: 1404 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1899) II. 396 3 sawes irined ex officio, et 3 twhertsawes, 2 handsawes. (at thwart-saw n.)].
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 121 b/1 It was made lyke a crosse thwart of whyche the two endes were fyxed in therthe. And that hys membres shold theron be broken.
1556 R. Record Castle of Knowl. 30 The Zodiak (whiche many doo call the Thwarte circle).
1658 J. Rowland tr. T. Moffett Theater of Insects in Topsell's Hist. Four-footed Beasts (rev. ed.) 971 The last part is whitish, chequered with right and thwart fibres.
1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 41 The Diagonal or Thwart-walk.
1836 W. Irving Astoria (1849) 86 They have thwart pieces from side to side about three inches thick.
1873 R. A. Proctor Expanse of Heaven 282 The determination of the actual rate of any star's thwart motion.
2. figurative.
a. Of persons or their attributes: Disposed to resist, oppose, or obstruct; cross-grained; perverse, froward, obstinate, stubborn, awkward.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > [adjective]
stour1303
thwarta1325
elvishc1386
wrawc1386
wrawfulc1386
crabbeda1400
crousea1400
cursedc1400
doggeda1425
currishc1460
disagreeable1474
dour1488
thrawn1488
terne?1507
apirsmarta1522
crustyc1570
incommodious1570
bilious1571
mischievous-stomached1577
thrawn-faced1578
thrawn-mowit1578
wearisha1586
shrewish1596
rhubarbative1600
crabbish1606
ill-tempereda1616
cur-like1627
thrawn-faceda1628
terned1638
cross1639
splenial1641
frumpish1647
wry1649
bad-tempered1671
hot-tempered1673
sidy1673
ugly1687
ornery1692
cankerya1699
ramgunshoch1721
cantankerousc1736
frumpy1746
unhappy1756
grumpy1778
crabby1791
grumpish1797
thraw-gabbit18..
snarlish1813
cranky1821
stuntya1825
ill-natured1825
nattery1825
rantankerous1832
foul-tempered1835
cacochymical1836
as cross as two sticks1842
grumphy1846
knappy1855
carnaptious1858
cussed1858
three-cornered1863
snotty1870
sniffy1871
snorty1893
grouchy1895
scratchy1925
tight1950
stroppy1951
snitty1978
arsey1989
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [adjective] > perverse
wharfedc1175
thwart-over?c1225
fromwardc1275
thwarta1325
wilgernc1325
contrariousa1340
froward1340
rebours1340
awaywarda1375
overthwartc1384
protervec1384
waywardc1384
arsewardc1386
wrawc1386
wrawfulc1386
crabbeda1400
ungraitha1400
wraweda1400
awklyc1400
perversec1425
awkc1440
perversiosec1475
crooked1508
wrayward1516
awkward1530
difficilec1533
peevish1539
protervous1547
overthwarting1552
untowardly1561
difficult1589
cross1594
cama1600
frowish1601
awkwardish1613
haggardly1635
pigheadeda1637
cross-grained1647
wry1649
crossfulc1680
thwarting1718
kim-kama1734
wronghead1737
piggish1742
witherly1790
top-thrawn1808
contrary1850
cussed1858
three-cornered1863
thwarteous1890
bloody-minded1935
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3099 Ðo pharaun sag is lond al fre, His herte ðo wurð ðwert and hard.
1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus iii. iv This old Sir Raderick it shall be thy taske to cudgell with thy thick thwart termes.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. C4 Ignorance makes them [sc. the minds of men] churlish thwart and mutinous. View more context for this quotation
1656 R. Baxter Reformed Pastor 234 I would not have any to be thwart and contentious with those that govern them.
1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound ii. ii. 76 Noontide would come, And thwart Silenus find his goats undrawn.
1892 R. L. Stevenson Across Plains viii. 238 The crass public or the thwart reviewer.
b. Of things: Adverse, unfavourable, untoward, unpropitious; esp. applied (with mixture of literal sense) to a wind or current: cross.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > [adjective] > unfavourable
contrariousc1320
bada1325
contraryinga1340
adversea1393
frowarda1400
contrairc1400
fremd1423
adversant?a1425
sinister1432
perversea1450
undisposed1456
sinistral?a1475
contrary1477
favourless1509
unfriendlya1513
thwarting1530
wayward?1544
contrariant1548
disfavourable1561
cross1565
unindifferent1565
sinistrous1566
haggard1578
unkindly1579
backward1582
awkward1587
improsperous1598
thwart1610
unpropitious1613
averted1619
untoward1621
averse1623
impropitious1638
sinister1726
unfavourable1748
untowardly1756
unfavouring1835
1610 J. Healey tr. St. Augustine Citie of God iii. xvi. 129 These thwart effects fell out euen then when things were said to be carried..so iustly.
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 472 Not only neere it in blood, but allyed in thwart fortune.
a1660 in J. T. Gilbert Contemp. Hist. Ireland (1880) II. 36 This secret and thwarte dealinge is worse then open and publicke violence.
a1660 in J. T. Gilbert Contemp. Hist. Ireland (1880) III. 42 A demonstration of theire reciprocall thwarte dealinge.
1865 A. C. Swinburne Atalanta in Calydon 184 A thwart sea-wind full of rain and foam.
1889 J. H. Skrine Mem. E. Thring 235 In spite of these thwart currents, Thring built up his large school.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > [adjective]
contrariousc1290
contraryinga1340
contrary1340
adversarya1382
overthwartc1384
contrairc1400
contrariantc1400
adverse1418
repugnantc1443
thwarting1530
pugnant1537
opposite1577
haggard1578
impugnant1579
kim-kam1582
antagonist1591
adversative1595
counter1596
opposing1597
antipathetical1601
thwart1601
aversed1609
aversive1609
adversarious1622
averse1623
antipathousa1625
inimicitious1641
opponent1641
negative1642
gainstanding1674
antithetic1753
opposed1784
oppositional1829
transversive1855
oppositionary1905
the world > relative properties > relationship > contrariety or contrast > [adjective]
contrarious1340
contraryc1340
contrairc1400
repugnant1425
reverse1481
contrariant1530
cross1565
obversant1579
thwart1601
retrogradea1616
pugnant1645
antipathic1830
antithetical1848
1601 J. Marston et al. Iacke Drums Entertainm. i. sig. B3v Why should you runne an Idle counter-course Thwart to the path of fashion?
1614 T. Adams Diuells Banket iv. 139 A paire of crosse and thwart sentences; handled rather by collation then relation; whose coniunction is disiunctiue.
1615 T. Jackson Iustifying Faith iv. ii. vi. §5 A meaning as ridiculous, as thwart and contradictory to his purpose as the devil himself could have devised.
1624 R. Montagu Gagg for New Gospell? Pref. To be thwart vnto, and against the maine of the business negotiated.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.11611n.21736
v.a1325
adv.prep.adj.a1325