The word "more athwart" is spelled as /mɔːr əˈθwɔːt/. The first part, "more", is pronounced as /mɔːr/ with a long "o" sound. The second part, "athwart", is pronounced as /əˈθwɔːt/ with a schwa sound followed by the "thw" blend and a long "o" sound. Together, the phrase means "even more across or in opposition to something." While not commonly used, it is important to understand its phonetic transcription for proper pronunciation.
The term "more athwart" refers to a comparative and comparative degree form of the adverb "athwart," which describes a position or direction that is situated transversely or diagonally across something. Derived from Middle English and Old Norse origins, "athwart" originally meant "across," and its usage can be traced back to the 14th century.
When we add the modifier "more" before "athwart," it indicates an increased level or degree of traversing or crossing. This construction is frequently utilized in contexts where a distinction is made between different degrees of diagonal or oblique alignment, especially in relation to a reference point or object.
"More athwart" finds usage across various fields, including nautical terminology, literary discourse, and general descriptive writings. For instance, in sailing jargon, a ship moving "more athwart" a current or wind denotes a greater transverse or diagonal orientation to the motion of the water or airflow. In literature, it serves to convey a deeper sense of obliqueness, obstruction, or opposition in character or plot development.
Overall, the expression "more athwart" serves to intensify and articulate the concept of traversing or crossing obliquely or diagonally, making it a useful tool for comparative analysis, storytelling, and nuanced description.
The phrase "more athwart" is a combination of two words: "more" and "athwart".
- "More" is an Old English word, derived from the Old English word "māra", which means "greater" or "larger". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic language.
- "Athwart" comes from the Old English word "a-thweorfan", which means "to turn" or "to twist". It is composed of the prefix "a-" meaning "on", and the verb "thweorfan" meaning "to turn".
Together, "more athwart" suggests something that is larger or greater while being turned or twisted. However, it is worth noting that "more athwart" is not a commonly used phrase in modern English; it may be a combination specific to a particular context or author.