Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of North?

\North\, n. [AS. nor[eth]; akin to D. noord, G., Sw., & Dan. nord, Icel. nor[eth]r. Cf. {Norman}, {Norse}.] 1. That one of the four cardinal points of the compass, at any place, which lies in the direction of the true meridian, and to the left hand of a person facing the east; the direction opposite to the south. 2. Any country or region situated farther to the north than another; the northern section of a country. 3. Specifically: That part of the United States lying north of Mason and Dixon's line. See under {Line}.
\North\, a. Lying toward the north; situated at the north, or in a northern direction from the point of observation or reckoning; proceeding toward the north, or coming from the north. {North following}. See {Following}, a., 2. {North pole}, that point in the heavens, or on the earth, ninety degrees from the equator toward the north. {North preceding}. See {Following}, a., 2. {North star}, the star toward which the north pole of the earth very nearly points, and which accordingly seems fixed and immovable in the sky. The star [alpha] (alpha) of the Little Bear, is our present north star, being distant from the pole about 1[deg] 25', and from year to year approaching slowly nearer to it. It is called also {Cynosura}, {polestar}, and by astronomers, {Polaris}.
\North\, v. i. To turn or move toward the north; to veer from the east or west toward the north.
\North\, adv. Northward.