Northern
/ˈnɔːrðən/noun
Situated toward or coming from the north.
Did you know?Its deepest root is tied to a Proto-Indo-European word for “left,” because many early cultures oriented themselves facing the rising sun, making north the “left side.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ner-
“left; below; north (in directional extensions)”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*nurþraz
“northern, toward the north”
Old English
OE
norþern
“northern; from the north”
Middle English
ME
northern
“northern; situated in or coming from the north”
Modern English
English
northern
“situated toward the north or coming from the north”