Athwart (Adverb)
Meaning 1
At an oblique angle; "the sun shone aslant into his face".
Examples
- A wide diagonal slash danced athwart the canvas, a bold statement of the artist's emotion.
- The tree branch lay athwart the path, forcing her to climb over it.
- The sunlight beamed athwart the window, casting intricate shadows on the walls.
- He set the boat athwart the current, then dipped the paddle and began to turn downstream.
- A faint glow emanated athwart the fog, illuminating the shrouded landscape with an ethereal light.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
At right angles to the center line of a ship.
Examples
- The vessel's steering wheel lay athwart the helmsman's bench, giving him substantial control.
- Ships navigated the narrow canal with the wind directly athwart, requiring great care.
- Cables stretched athwart from the ship's hull to its opposite side, forming a safe passage.
- Sailing into the wind the boat heeled violently athwart its path, threatening to capsize.
- Athwart its entire length the narrow deck stayed obstinately covered with fine layers of ice