witherward

comparative more witherward · superlative most witherward

1. Adverse, contrary.

   Such a witherward and rotten friend she was.

2. Opposite, opposing; hostile.

   at the witherward side of the year

   1 more example

   […] then appeared to me along the way by which I formerly came amid the darkness, as it were the brightness of a shining star, and the light was waxing more and more, and quickly hastening to me, and as soon as it came nigh me, then were scattered and away fled all the witherward ghosts, which formerly threatened me with their tongs, [...]

   1852, The whole works of King Alfred the Great

comparative more witherward · superlative most witherward

1. Contrary to, against.

1. uncountableOpposite; adversity, opposition; hostility

   Nor, although be sung the "mighty stream of tendency" of this wondrous age, did he ever launch his poetic craft upon it, nor seem to see the witherward of its swift and awful stress.

   1850, Henry Mills Alden, Harper's new monthly magazine: Volume 1, Issues 1-6

   2 more examples

   Nevertheless, he cannot be seriously opposed to scientific research as distinguished from technical research for the next four chapters deal with such theoretical subjects as "the question of the atom," "the witherward of matter," "the chemical interpretation of life" and "the beginning of things."

   1912, American Chemical Society, Journal of the American Chemical Society: Volume 34, Issues 1-6

   They were those of the song he had sung when he arrived years before at the Three Mariners, a poor young man, adventuring for life and fortune, and scarcely knowing witherward: [...]

   1950, Thomas Hardy, The mayor of Casterbridge