ATHWART', preposition [a and thwart. See Thwart.] 1. Across; from side to side; transverse; as athwart the path. 2. In marine language, across the line of a ship's course; as, a fleet standing athwart our course. ATHWART hause, is the situation of a ship when she lies across the stem of another, whether near, or at some distance. ATHWART the fore foot, is a phrase applied to the flight of a cannon ball, across another ship's course, ahead, as a signal for her to bring to. ATHWART ships, reaching across the ship from side to side, or in that direction. ATHWART', adverb In a manner to cross and perplex; crossly; wrong; wrongfully.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI