thwart

Where does the word "thwart" come from? It comes from Old Norse þvert, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Thwart’s story begins in Old Norse: þvert meant “across, crosswise.” Neuter form of 'þverr', transverse, lying across. By 1200s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as thwert. Used as an adverb for lying across something; the plank seat across a rowing boat is still a 'thwart'. It reached English by 1500s as thwart. The verb sense came from placing something across someone's path. Today, thwart means to prevent someone from accomplishing something.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval þvert "across, crosswise", neuter form of 'þverr', transverse, lying across.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1200s thwert "crosswise", used as an adverb for lying across something; the plank seat across a rowing boat is still a 'thwart'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s thwart "to prevent, obstruct", the verb sense came from placing something across someone's path.