West
West , noun
[Anglo-Saxon west, adv.; akin to Dutch west, German west, westen, Old High German westan, Icelandic vestr, Swedish vest, vester, vestan, Danish vest, vesten, and perhaps to Latin vesper evening, Greek {not transcribed}. {not transcribed}. Compare Vesper, Visigoth.]
1.
The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to set at the equinox; or, the corresponding point on the earth; that one of the four cardinal points of the compass which is in a direction at right angles to that of north and south, and on the left hand of a person facing north; the point directly opposite to east.
And fresh from the west is the free wind's breath.
2.
A country, or region of country, which, with regard to some other country or region, is situated in the direction toward the west.
3.
(a) (U. S. Hist. & Geography) The Western hemisphere, or the New World so called, it having been discovered by sailing westward from Europe; the Occident.
(b)
(U. S. Hist. & Geography) Formerly, that part of the United States west of the Alleghany mountains; now, commonly, the whole region west of the Mississippi river; esp., that part which is north of the Indian Territory, New Mexico, etc. Usually with the definite article.
Collocations (2)
West by north or West by south , according to the notation of the mariner's compass, that point which lies 11¼° to the north or south, respectively, of the point due west.
West northwest or West southwest , that point which lies 22½° to the north or south of west, or halfway between west and northwest or southwest, respectively. See Illust. of Compass.
West , adjective
1.
Lying toward the west; situated at the west, or in a western direction from the point of observation or reckoning; proceeding toward the west, or coming from the west; as, a west course is one toward the west; an east and west line; a west wind blows from the west.
This shall be your west border.
2.
(Ecclesiastical) Designating, or situated in, that part of a church which is opposite to, and farthest from, the east, or the part containing the chancel and choir.
Collocations (1)
West end , the fashionable part of London, commencing from the east, at Charing Cross.
West , adverb
[Anglo-Saxon west.]
Westward.
West , intransitive verb
1.
To pass to the west; to set, as the sun. [Obsolete]
The hot sun gan to west.
2.
To turn or move toward the west; to veer from the north or south toward the west.