I. ˈthwȯrt transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English thwerten, from thwert, adverb
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : to run counter to so as to effectively oppose or baffle : contravene
b. : to oppose successfully : defeat the hopes or aspirations of
2. : to pass through or across
Synonyms: see frustrate
• thwart·er noun
II. ˈthwȯrt, naut often ˈthȯrt adverb
Etymology: Middle English thwert, from Old Norse thvert, from neuter of thverr transverse, oblique; akin to Old High German dwerah transverse, oblique
Date: 14th century
: athwart
III. adjective
Date: 14th century
: situated or placed across something else : transverse
• thwart·ly adverb
IV. noun
Etymology: alteration of obsolete thought, thoft, from Middle English thoft, from Old English thofte; akin to Old High German dofta rower's seat
Date: circa 1736
: a seat extending athwart a boat