Northwestwards: meaning, definitions and examples
ðŸ§
northwestwards
[ nɔrθˈwɛstwərdz ]
directional movement
Northwestwards refers to the direction towards the northwest. It indicates movement or orientation in that specific direction, typically on a compass. This term is often used in navigation, geography, and meteorology.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The storm is approaching from the northwestwards.
- They headed northwestwards to reach the nearest city.
- The birds migrated northwestwards for the winter.
Etymology
The term 'northwestwards' is a combination of two components: 'northwest' and the adverbial suffix '-wards'. 'Northwest' itself is derived from Old English 'norðwest', which combines 'norð' (north) and 'west', referring to the cardinal direction that is between north and west on a compass. The addition of the '-wards' suffix modifies the term to indicate a movement towards that direction. Historically, nautical navigation and the mapping of land have played significant roles in the use of directional terminology, including 'northwestwards'. As exploration and trade expanded, particularly in the age of exploration, the need to accurately describe directions became paramount, leading to the adoption and standardization of such terms.