Where does “witherwise” come from?
witherwise (English) comes from English wither-, from Middle English wither-, from Old English wiþer-, from Proto-Germanic *wiþra-, from Proto-Germanic wiþrą, from Proto-Indo-European wī-tero-, from Proto-Indo-European wi — apart, asunder; away from, against.
witherwise (English): In the opposite or wrong direction; contrariwise
Definitions
- In the opposite or wrong direction; contrariwise
Ancestry of “witherwise”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | wither- | Prefix meaning: "against", "in opposition to";... |
| 2 | Middle English | wither- | — |
| 3 | Old English | wiþer- | against, contrary, opposed to; anti-, counter- |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | *wiþra- | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | wiþrą | toward, against |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | wī-tero- | further apart |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | wi | apart, asunder; away from, against |