northeast
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Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˌnɔːθˈiːst/, /ˌnɔːˈriːst/ (UK); /ˌnɔːrθˈiːst/, /ˌnɔːrˈiːst/ (US)[1]
Etymology
It is 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
- The point of the compass midway between north and east, 45 degrees east of north.
- An area lying in this direction; in the United States, the New England states and New York.
Adjective
- Of, toward or facing the northeast, or coming from it.
Adverb
- In, from or toward the northeast.
Word family
- northeastern
- northeasterly
- northeastwards
- north-northeast
- east-northeast
- northeast by east
- northeast by north
Related words
References
- ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
- ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
- ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
- ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins