Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Situated in or coming from regions of the north: Relating to, located in, or originating from the north.
   • Oriented toward the north: Facing or directed toward the north.
   • Coming from the north: Used especially to describe wind or weather.
   • Characteristic of a northern region: Pertaining to the distinctive qualities, culture, or climate of northern areas, particularly the northern United States.

2. Noun:

   • A dialect of Middle English: A historical dialect of Middle English that developed into Scottish Lallans.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The northern hemisphere experiences summer when the southern hemisphere has winter.
  • We took a trip through the northern provinces of the country.
  • A cold northern wind brought an early frost.
  • The house has a beautiful northern exposure overlooking the valley.
  • The factory is known for its northern industrial heritage.

• Noun:

  • The text was written in Northern, an ancestor of modern Scots.

Advanced Usage

• "northern lights" (aurora borealis): A natural light display in the sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic.
  • We traveled to Norway to see the northern lights.
• "northernmost": Farthest north.
  • The expedition reached the northernmost point of the island.

Variants and Related Words

• Northerly (adj/adv): Situated toward or coming from the north. Often used to describe wind direction.
  • We set off in a northerly direction.
• Northernness (n, rare): The quality or state of being northern.
• Northerner (n): A person who lives in or comes from the north of a country or region.
  • As a lifelong Northerner, she was used to cold winters.

Synonyms

• Boreal: Of the north or northern regions.
• Arctic: Pertaining to the extreme north, around the North Pole.
• Polar: Relating to a geographical pole or the region around it.

Antonyms

• Southern: Situated in or coming from the south.
• Austral: (Technical) Of or relating to the south.

Related Phrases

• Northern Ireland: A part of the United Kingdom located in the northeast of the island of Ireland.
• Northern blot: A laboratory technique used in molecular biology to detect specific RNA sequences.
• Northern pike: A species of carnivorous fish found in freshwater habitats in the northern hemisphere.

Adjective

1. situated in or coming from regions of the north
   • the northern hemisphere
   • northern autumn colors
2. coming from the north; used especially of wind
   • the north wind doth blow
   • a northern snowstorm
   • the winds are northerly
3. situated in or oriented toward the north
   • the northern suburbs
   • going in a northerly direction
4. in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
   • Northern liberals
   • northern industry
   • northern cities

Noun

1. a dialect of Middle English that developed into Scottish Lallans