thwart English · revision 1250

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /θwɔːt/ ''(UK)''; /θwɔɹt/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|thwerten]], from ''thwert'' “across”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) [[der|non|þvert|t=across]], the neuter of ''þverr'' “transverse”.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) It is related to Old English ''þweorh'' “crooked, perverse” and Gothic ''þwairhs'' “angry”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) The noun “rower's seat” is an alteration of obsolete ''thoft'', from Old English ''thofte''.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As a verb, to oppose or hinder (about 1250).^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The adverb meant “across, crosswise”,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995) and the verb had physical senses such as to lie across or to cross (1413).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The verb's sense of opposing or hindering is the oldest,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and it now usually means to prevent someone from accomplishing a purpose.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) The spelling with ''-a-'' dates from the 15th century.^(Etymonline) The noun meaning a seat across a boat is dated 1721 by the OED^(OED 1989) and about 1736 by Barnhart and Merriam-Webster.^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * probably before 1200 – ''thwertover'', across.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * about 1250 – verb, to oppose.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1350 – adverb, across.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1413 – verb, to pass across.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1611 – noun, a hindrance.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1721 – a rower's seat.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To prevent someone from accomplishing something; to [[frustrate]] or [[foil]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To oppose and defeat a plan or effort.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A seat across a boat on which a rower sits.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Lying across; [[transverse]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(archaic)'' Perverse or obstinate.^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Across; [[athwart]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[thwarter]]

+ * [[thwartly]]

+ * [[thwartedly]]

+ * [[athwart]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[overthwart]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Random House distinguishes ''thwart'', ''frustrate'' and ''baffle''.^(RHWU) ''Thwart'' suggests stopping someone by opposing or blocking their efforts, while ''frustrate'' implies making all efforts useless.^(RHWU) ''Baffle'' suggests defeat through confusion or perplexity.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}