Northeastward

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Directionally toward the northeast; moving or situated in the northeastern part of a given area; indicating an orientation or movement that is aligned with the northeast compass point
2. Related to or denoting a trajectory that heads toward the northeast; occupying or approaching a location in the northeastern region; pertaining to the northeastern direction on a compass
3. Referring to the act of progressing in a northeastern direction; being located in the northeastern segment of a map or territory; reflecting an orientation toward the compass point between north and east

Etymology: Northeastward is a plain compound: "northeast" with the suffix "-ward" attached. The suffix goes back to Proto-Germanic "wardaz" and Old English "-weard", a word for turning or facing in a particular direction, which is why English still builds "homeward", "westward" and "upward" from it. Adding "-ward" to a compass point gives an adverb meaning toward that point, so "northeastward" describes movement or position heading that way. The Proto-Indo-European root behind "-ward" is "wert-", meaning to turn, which explains the sense of turning toward a place. The word's meaning is therefore literal: something moving in a northeast direction, or lying in that direction from a point of reference.

Synonyms: northeast