south

Meanings

Noun

• One of the four major compass points, specifically 180°, directed toward the South Pole, and conventionally downwards on a map, abbreviated as S.
• The southern region or area; the inhabitants thereof.
• In a church: the direction to the right-hand side of a person facing the altar.

Adjective

• Toward the south; southward.
• from the south.
• Of or pertaining to the south; southern.
• Pertaining to the part of a corridor used by southbound traffic.
• Designating, or situated in, the liturgical south.

Adverb

• Toward the south; southward.
• Downward.
• In an adverse direction or trend (go south).
• Of wind, from the south.

Verb

• To turn or move toward the south; to veer toward the south.
• To come to the meridian; to cross the north and south line.

Origin

• From Middle English south, from Old English sūþ, from Proto-Germanic *sunþrą. Compare West Frisian súd, Dutch zuid, German Süd, Danish syd.