Northward
/ˈnɔːrθ.wɚd/noun
Toward the north; in a northerly direction.
Did you know?Its core root is the same ancient directional root behind words like north and northern, ultimately tied to the Proto-Indo-European idea of the left-hand side, because many cultures oriented themselves facing the rising sun.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ner-
“left; below”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*nurþaz
“north”
Old English
OE
norþ
“north”
Old English
OE
-weard
“toward; in the direction of”
Middle English
ME
northward
“toward the north”
Modern English
English
northward
“toward the north”