athwart Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adverb at right angles to the center line of a ship
  2. adverb at an oblique angle
    obliquely; aslant.
    • the sun shone aslant into his face

WordNet

A*thwart" preposition
Etymology
Pref. a- + thwart.
Definitions
  1. Across; from side to side of.
    Athwart the thicket lone. Tennyson.
  2. (Naut.) Across the direction or course of; as, a fleet standing athwart our course.
A*thwart" adverb
Definitions
  1. 1. Across, especially in an oblique direction; sidewise; obliquely.
    Sometimes athwart, sometimes he strook him straight. Spenser.
  2. Across the course; so as to thwart; perversely.
    All athwart there came A post from Wales loaden with heavy news. Shak.

Webster 1913