sideways etymology

Etymology

The word "sideways" is derived from the Old English word "sideweges," which literally means "way to the side." It is a compound word, consisting of "side" (meaning the edge or border of something) and "weges" (meaning path or way).

Meaning

The primary meaning of "sideways" is "to the side or laterally." It describes movement, orientation, or position in a direction parallel to a surface or plane, rather than perpendicular to it. For example, we might say that a car is moving sideways when its wheels are not aligned with the direction of travel.

Origin

The word "sideways" has been in use in English since the early 11th century. It is thought to have originated from the nautical term "sidewind," which referred to a wind blowing from the side of a ship. This term was later generalized to refer to any movement or position to the side.

Examples

• The crab scuttled sideways across the sand.
• The car swerved sideways and crashed into a tree.
• The painting was hung sideways on the wall.
• The athlete moved sideways to avoid a tackle.
• The fence was built sideways to block the view.

sideways relate terms

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• mean

  Etymology Old English mǣne Proto Germanic mainiz Proto Indo European mei to think

• aside

  Etymology The word aside comes from the Middle English word asiden which is derived

• slant

  Etymology The word slant is derived from the Old English word slantan which means

• wink

  Etymology The word wink is derived from the Old English word wincian which means to

• broadside

  Etymology From Middle English brodesyde meaning the side of a ship The term origi

• oblique

  Etymology Origin Latin obliquus slanting transverse Root Proto Indo European lab

• askance

  Etymology From Middle English askance from Old French escanche from Vulgar Latin exca

• candidate

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• locomotive

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• crux

  Etymology Latin crux meaning cross Meaning A crucial point issue or questi