Withers

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈwɪð.ɜː(ɹ)z/

Origin

1580, from Old English dialectical wiðer ("against") + -s; see with. So-named because the part of the horse that pushes against a load. Compare German Widerrist ("withers"), from wider ("against") + Rist ("wrist").

Online Etymology Dictionary

Full definition of withers

Noun

1. (veterinary medicine) The part of the back of a four-legged animal that is between the shoulder blades; in many species the highest point of the body and the standard place to measure the animal's height.

Usage notes

Although this noun refers to one object, there is no corresponding singular form *wither for this word, the singular form being obsolete.

Coordinate terms

• scruff

Hyponyms

• nape

Derived terms

• fistulous withers
• wither-wrung
• wring one's withers

Verb

1. withers

   (third-person singular of wither)

Anagrams

• swither
• writhes