south
UK[saʊθ]US[saʊθ]
n
the direction that is on your right when you face the rising sun; one of the four main points of the compass
adj
situated in or facing the south
adv
toward or in the south
Etymology
the word "south" originates from the old english "sūþ," which is of germanic origin. it is related to the dutch "zuid" and the german "süden." this germanic family of words is traced back to the proto-indo-european root sunþer-, meaning "sun-side," which itself is derived from sūel-, the root for "sun." the logic is straightforward: the south was perceived as the direction of the sun at its highest point (noon) in the northern hemisphere. over time, this solar association solidified into the cardinal direction, evolving from a literal description of the sun's position to an abstract geographical and navigational concept.
Analysis
the word is a simplex, derived from a single old english root.
Examples
the birds migrate to the south for the winter.
they live on the south coast of france.
the road turns south just after the bridge.