Nord
/nɔːd/noun
A chiefly dialectal or literary English word meaning north, also used in some proper names and loan expressions.
Did you know?The Germanic word-family behind Nord may connect north with an ancient orientation system in which north was imagined as the “left” side when facing sunrise, though this proposed link remains debated.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ner-
“A proposed root meaning “left” or “below,” sometimes connected with the Germanic word for north; this connection is uncertain.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*nurþrą
“North; the reconstructed ancestor of the Germanic directional word.”
Old Norse
Old Norse
norðr
“North, the northern direction.”
Old English
Old English
norþ
“North; the direction opposite south.”
Middle English
English
north
“North, continuing the Old English form with spelling influenced by surrounding dialects.”
Modern English
English
nord
“A retained or borrowed form meaning north, especially in dialectal, literary, geographic, and proper-name usage.”