south etymology

Etymology and Origin of "South"

The word "south" originates from the Proto-Indo-European root "saut-, meaning "sunny," "bright," or "warm."

Meaning

"South" refers to the cardinal direction that is opposite to north and corresponds to the 180th meridian from the Prime Meridian at Greenwich, England. It is the direction towards the South Pole.

Historical Development

In ancient Greek, the word "notos" (νότος) was used to refer to the southern wind, which was associated with warmth and dryness. The Latin equivalent, "auster," also referred to the southern wind and later became the name for the southern cardinal direction.

In Old English, the word "sūth" meant "south" and was derived from the Proto-Germanic "sunthaz." This term was closely related to the word for "sun," which was also associated with warmth and brightness.

Usage and Related Terms

The term "south" is frequently used in conjunction with other geographical terms, such as "southeast," "southwest," "southern," and "southerly."

Some examples include:

• The South Pole is located at the southernmost point on Earth.
• The Southern Hemisphere is the half of the globe that lies south of the equator.
• A southerly wind blows from the south.

south relate terms

• southbound

  Etymology The word southbound is derived from the following components South A car

• south

  Etymology and Origin of South The word south originates from the Proto Indo European

• bound

  Etymology Old English bindan Proto Germanic bindaną Meaning To tie fasten

• southeast

  Etymology The word southeast is a compound word derived from two words South Old E

• south

  Etymology and Origin of South The word south originates from the Proto Indo European

• east

  Etymology The word east comes from the Old English word ēast which is related to t

• southerly

  Etymology The word southerly originates from the Middle English term southelie which

• southern

  Etymology The term southern comes from the Old English word sūðerna which in turn

• southwest

  Etymology The word southwest is a compound word consisting of two words South Co

• MIDI

  Etymology MIDI is an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface Meaning MIDI i

• Benjamin

  Etymology Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין Binyamin Meaning Son of my right hand

• austral

  Etymology From Latin australis from auster south wind Meaning Southern rela

• deasil

  Etymology Old Irish dess suil dess right or south suil eye Meaning and O

• direction

  Etymology The word direction comes from the Latin word directio which means a strai

• Carolina

  Etymology The name Carolina is derived from the Latin word Carolus which means Cha

• Mississippi

  Etymology The name Mississippi is derived from two Algonquian words Misi pronounce