verb (used with object)
- to oppose successfully; prevent from accomplishing a purpose.
- to frustrate or baffle (a plan, purpose, etc.).
- Archaic.
- to cross.
- to extend across.
noun
- a seat across a boat, especially one used by a rower.
- a transverse member spreading the gunwales of a canoe or the like.
adjective
- passing or lying crosswise or across; cross; transverse.
- perverse; obstinate.
- adverse; unfavorable.
preposition, adverb
- across; athwart.
verb
- to oppose successfully or prevent; frustratethey thwarted the plan
- obsolete to be or move across
noun
- nautical a seat lying across a boat and occupied by an oarsman
adjective
- passing or being situated across
- archaic perverse or stubborn
preposition, adverb
- obsolete across
adv.c.1200, from Old Norse þvert “across,” originally neuter of thverr (adj.) “transverse, across,” cognate with Old English þweorh “transverse, perverse, angry, cross,” from Proto-Germanic *thwerkhaz (cf. Middle Dutch dwers, Dutch dwars “cross-grained, contrary,” Old High German twerh, German quer, Gothic þwairhs “angry”), altered (by influence of *thwer- “to turn”) from *therkh-, from PIE *twork-/*twerk- “twist” (cf. Latin torquere “to twist,” Sanskrit tarkuh “spindle,” Old Church Slavonic traku “band, girdle,” Old High German drahsil “turner,” German drechseln “to turn on a lathe”). v.“oppose, hinder,” mid-13c., from thwart (adv.). Related: Thwarted; thwarting.