Airt

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A Scots word for a direction or quarter of the compass ; to guide or steer someone toward a particular course
2. A compass direction in Scottish usage ; to point someone along a route or lead them somewhere
3. The quarter of the horizon toward which something lies ; to direct or conduct a person or thing along a way

Etymology: Scots "airt" is a word for direction, and it has a long journey behind it. In Scotland it has been used for a point of the compass, and as a verb it means to direct or guide someone or something in a particular way. The noun and verb share the same form, which is why the same spelling serves both parts of speech. The word belongs to the Scots dialect of English, which developed in Scotland alongside, and in places apart from, the English spoken further south. Its use in Scots is the clearest starting point for its history, and it is in that tradition that the word has its meaning of heading or bearing.

Synonyms: direct, guide, steer