West \West\, n. [AS. west, adv.; akin to D. west, G. west,
westen, OHG. westan, Icel. vestr, Sw. vest, vester, vestan,
Dan. vest, vesten, and perhaps to L. vesper evening, Gr. ?.
????. Cf. Vesper, Visigoth.]
1. The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to set at
the equinox; or, the corresponding point on the earth;
that one of the four cardinal points of the compass which
is in a direction at right angles to that of north and
south, and on the left hand of a person facing north; the
point directly opposite to east.
And fresh from the west is the free wind's breath.
--Bryant.
2. A country, or region of country, which, with regard to
some other country or region, is situated in the direction
toward the west.
3. Specifically:
(a) The Westen hemisphere, or the New World so called, it
having been discovered by sailing westward from
Europe; the Occident.
(b) (U. S. Hist. & Geog.) Formerly, that part of the
United States west of the Alleghany mountains; now,
commonly, the whole region west of the Mississippi
river; esp., that part which is north of the Indian
Territory, New Mexico, etc. Usually with the definite
article.
West by north, West by south, according to the notation
of the mariner's compass, that point which lies 111/4[deg]
to the north or south, respectively, of the point due
west.
West northwest, West southwest, that point which lies
221/2[deg] to the north or south of west, or halfway
between west and northwest or southwest, respectively. See
Illust. of Compass.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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West \West\, a.
Lying toward the west; situated at the west, or in a western
direction from the point of observation or reckoning;
proceeding toward the west, or coming from the west; as, a
west course is one toward the west; an east and west line; a
west wind blows from the west.
This shall be your west border. --Num. xxxiv.
6.
West end, the fashionable part of London, commencing from
the east, at Charing Cross.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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West \West\, a. (Eccl.)
Designating, or situated in, that part of a church which is
opposite to, and farthest from, the east, or the part
containing the chancel and choir.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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