[ θwɔ:t ]
■ verb prevent from succeeding in or accomplishing something.
■ noun a structural crosspiece forming a seat for a rower in a boat.
■ preposition & adverb archaic or literary from one side to another side of; across.
Origin
ME thwerte , from thwert 'perverse, obstinate, adverse', from ON thvert , neut. of thverr 'transverse'.