leeward
/'li:wəd/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- On the side away from the wind: Describes the side of an object, landmass, or vessel that is sheltered from or facing away from the direction from which the wind is blowing.
- Example: The leeward side of the mountain is much drier.
Adverb:
- Toward the lee side; in the direction away from the wind: Indicates movement or orientation to the sheltered side.
- Example: The boat drifted leeward.
Noun:
- The side sheltered from the wind: The side or direction that is opposite to the windward side.
- The direction toward which the wind is blowing: This definition, while sometimes used, is less common and can be a source of confusion. The primary noun meaning is the sheltered side.
- Example: We anchored on the leeward of the island for protection.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The leeward shore is calm and ideal for swimming.
- Plant the garden on the leeward side of the house to shield it from strong winds.
Adverb:
- The sail was set leeward.
- As the storm approached, the fleet moved leeward.
Noun:
- The harbor is located to the leeward.
- The rain was less intense on the leeward.
Advanced Usage
- Nautical Context: In sailing, "leeward" is a critical term for navigation and tactics, often contrasted with "windward."
- The leeward boat has right-of-way in some racing situations.
- Meteorological & Geographical Context: Used to describe climatic effects, such as rain shadows.
- The leeward slopes of the mountains receive little precipitation.
Variants and Related Words
- Leewardly (adj., archaic): Having a tendency to drift to leeward.
- Leewardness (n.): The quality or state of being to leeward.
- Leeward is the base form; it does not have common comparative or superlative forms.
Synonyms
- Sheltered side (n.): The side protected from the wind.
- Downwind (adj., adv.): In or toward the direction the wind is blowing. (Note: This is often used interchangeably with "leeward," though purists note "downwind" refers to the wind's direction, while "leeward" refers to the sheltered side of an object.)
- Lee (n., adj.): A shorter, often synonymous form (e.g., ).
Antonyms
- Windward (adj., adv., n.): On or toward the side from which the wind is blowing; the side exposed to the wind.
Related Phrases
- To fall to leeward (phr.): To drift downwind, often unintentionally.
- The damaged vessel began to fall to leeward.
- Leeward mark (n., sailing): A race buoy that must be rounded on the downwind side.
- Leeward position (n.): A tactical position in sailing where one boat is between another boat and the leeward side of the course.
Adjective
- on the side away from the wind
- on the leeward side of the island
Adverb
- toward the wind
- they were sailing leeward
Noun
- the side of something that is sheltered from the wind
- the direction in which the wind is blowing