south Definition

south
South
noun

1. One of the four main points of the compass which, if a person is facing the rising sun in the N hemisphere, is the direction that lies to their right.
2. The direction that is directly opposite north, ie 180° from the north and 90° from both east and west.
3a. Any part of the earth, a country, a town, etc that lies in this direction;
3b. The southern states of the US thought of collectively.

Example: the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the deep South
4. cards, especially bridge.
The person or position that corresponds to south on the compass.

adverb

1. Towards the south.

adj

1. Belonging, referring or relating to, facing or lying in the south; on the side or in the part that is nearest the south.

Example: the constituency of Aberdeen South
2. In place names: denoting the southerly part.

Example: South America
Example: South Kensington
3. Said of a wind: blowing from the south.

Derivative: southerly

See separate entry.

Idiom: south by east, west,

Between south and the other specified direction.
Example: travel south by south-east

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon suth.