Sidewise is a word that refers to movement or position in a lateral direction. Its spelling may seem confusing because the "e" is pronounced as "i," and the "w" is silent. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be spelled /ˈsaɪdaɪz/. The first syllable "side" is pronounced with a long "i" sound, followed by an "d" and the second syllable "wise" is pronounced with a long "i" sound followed by a "z" sound. Despite its unusual spelling, "sidewise" continues to be used in everyday English.
Sidewise is an adverb that refers to a direction or movement that is positioned or performed sideways or horizontally, rather than in a straight or forward manner. It describes an action or position that deviates from the vertical or perpendicular axis, and is often used to indicate a lateral or sideward orientation.
When applied to physical movement, sidewise suggests a shift or incline towards one side or another, indicating the absence of a direct or linear trajectory. For example, if someone is walking sidewise, their body is positioned parallel to the direction they are moving, rather than facing forward. Similarly, if an object is leaning sidewise, it is inclined towards one side instead of being perfectly upright.
In a figurative sense, sidewise can also describe an indirect or oblique approach or perspective. It implies a deviation from a straightforward or direct manner, often used to indicate an alternative viewpoint or course of action. For instance, considering a problem sidewise suggests examining it from a different angle or considering alternative solutions or possibilities.
Overall, the term sidewise encompasses a lateral or horizontal position, movement, or perspective that diverges from a traditional forward or vertical orientation. Whether used literally or metaphorically, sidewise denotes a non-linear, deviating, or alternative manner or direction.
The word "sidewise" is derived from two components: "side" and "-wise".
The term "side" originated from the Old English word "sīde", which meant "flank" or "border". It is related to the Middle Dutch word "zīde" and the German word "Seite". All these words share the same Proto-Germanic root "*sīdō".
The suffix "-wise" is an adverbial suffix that means "in the direction or manner of". It is derived from the Old English word "-wīsan", which had a similar meaning and could be attached to other words to form adverbs.
Therefore, the word "sidewise" came about by combining "side" with "-wise". It means "in a sideways manner" or "to the side".