English Explanatory Dictionary

withersake

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An apostate or perfidious renegade.

Pronunciation

/ˈwɪðə(ɹ)ˌseɪk/

Word forms

withersake withersakes wythersake

Etymology

From Middle English withersake, from Old English wiþersaca (“adversary, enemy; betrayer; apostate”), from Proto-West Germanic *wiþrasakō, equivalent to wither- (“against”) + sake. Cognate with Middle High German widersache, Modern German Widersacher (“adversary, opponent, antagonist, foe”).

Synonyms

transfuge turncoat backstabber betrayer double-crosser quisling rat ratter recreant renegade serpent snake snake in the grass swike traitor treacher treacherer treasonist turntippet withersake wolf in sheep's clothing apostate balimbing butterfly changeling defector runagate turncloak
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