Outwith is a word commonly used in Scottish English, meaning "outside of" or "except for". Despite being a familiar term in Scotland, the spelling of outwith has been the source of controversy; some argue that it should be spelt "outwith", while others prefer "out with". In IPA phonetic transcription, outwith is pronounced as /aʊt wɪð/, with the emphasis falling on the first syllable. Despite the variations in spelling, outwith continues to be used in Scottish English as a means of expressing exclusivity or separation.
"Outwith" is a word primarily used in Scottish and Northern English dialects. It functions as a preposition and adverb and conveys the meaning of "outside of" or "beyond" in relation to a particular boundary or limit. It is essentially the antonym of "within."
As a preposition, "outwith" denotes the concept of being outside of a specific area, realm, or jurisdiction. For example, if someone says, "That decision is outwith my authority," it means that they lack the power or control to make that decision as it falls beyond their scope of influence.
When used as an adverb, "outwith" describes an action or occurrence happening outside of a defined or expected circumstance or situation. If one says, "We had a great time outwith our usual routine," it indicates that the enjoyable experience happened outside of their regular or typical activities.
Overall, "outwith" serves as a linguistic tool to emphasize that something lies beyond a specific boundary or expectation. Although relatively less common outside of Scottish and Northern English contexts, it possesses a specific regional significance and enhances the precision of communication within those areas of usage.
The word "outwith" is primarily used in Scottish English and has its origins in the Old English language. It is derived from the combination of the words "out" and "with". The word "out" refers to moving away from or beyond something, while "with" denotes a sense of inclusion or association. The combination of these two words in "outwith" gives it the meaning of "outside" or "beyond the scope of". It is commonly used to indicate exclusion or exclusionary circumstances. While it has been in use in Scottish literature and speech for centuries, it is relatively less common in other varieties of English.