In the manner or direction of a comet; in the fashion of a comet, particularly referring to sudden, swift, or long-tailed movement through space or metaphorically through life.
From 'comet' + '-wise' (suffix meaning 'in the manner or direction of,' as in 'clockwise'), creating an adverbial phrase rare in modern usage.
The '-wise' suffix is ancient and productive—we still use it in 'clockwise,' 'likewise,' and 'lengthwise'—but 'cometwise' is charmingly obsolete, a word from when comets seemed more magical.
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