northeast

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌnɔːθˈiːst/, /ˌnɔːˈriːst/ (UK); /ˌnɔːrθˈiːst/, /ˌnɔːrˈiːst/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English northest, Old English norþēast,^[2][3] a compound of north and east.^[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The point or direction midway between north and east: Old English;^[2] Merriam-Webster dates the adverb to before the 12th century.^[3]

Semantic evolution

As an adjective, coming from or toward the northeast, it is by 1739 in Etymonline.^[2] Northeastern is from the late 14th century, northeastward from the 1550s, and northeasterly from 1743.^[2] In American use the Northeast is the region including New England and New York,^[4] and in British use the northeastern part of England.^[5]

Timeline

• Old English – norþēast.^[2]
• late 14th century – northeastern.^[2]
• 1550s – northeastward.^[2]
• 1739 – the adjective.^[2]
• 1743 – northeasterly.^[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. The point of the compass midway between north and east, 45 degrees east of north.
2. An area lying in this direction; in the United States, the New England states and New York.

Adjective

1. Of, toward or facing the northeast, or coming from it.

Adverb

1. In, from or toward the northeast.

Word family

• northeastern
• northeasterly
• northeastwards
• north-northeast
• east-northeast
• northeast by east
• northeast by north

Related words

• north
• east
• northwest
• southeast
• nor'easter

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
5. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins