Definition

1. Noun:
   • A compass point: "southwest by west" is a precise direction on a compass. It is located one point (11.25 degrees) west of the cardinal intercardinal direction southwest. This term is part of the traditional 32-point compass rose used in navigation.

Usage

• Noun:
  • This term is used to give or follow very specific directional bearings, primarily in maritime navigation, aviation, surveying, or when giving detailed instructions.
  • It indicates a direction more westerly than southwest but not as westerly as west-southwest.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The captain set a course of southwest by west to avoid the storm.
  • From this landmark, the treasure is buried at a bearing of southwest by west.
  • The wind shifted from southwest to southwest by west.

Advanced Usage

• In traditional navigation, the 32-point system divides the compass into points, each 11.25 degrees apart. "Southwest by west" is one of these 32 named points.
• It is often abbreviated as SWbW on charts and in logbooks.

Variants and Related Words

• Southwest (SW): The cardinal intercardinal direction, 225 degrees.
• West-southwest (WSW): The compass point that is two points (22.5 degrees) west of southwest.
• South-southwest (SSW): The compass point that is two points (22.5 degrees) south of southwest.
• Compass point: Any of the 32 directional indicators on a traditional compass.

Synonyms

• SWbW: The standard abbreviation.
• Bearing 236.25°: The equivalent true bearing in degrees (calculated as 225° + 11.25°).

Related Phrases

• By the compass: A phrase indicating navigation or measurement using the precise points of the compass.
  • We sailed by the compass, holding steady on a course of southwest by west.

Noun

1. the compass point that is one point west of southwest