southwest

UK: ˌsaʊθˈwɛst | US: ˌsaʊθˈwɛst

Definition
  1. n. the direction midway between south and west

  2. adj. situated in or facing the southwest

  3. adv. toward or from the southwest

Structure
south <direction>west <direction>
Etymology

The word "southwest" is a compound of two Old English directional terms: "sūþ" (south) and "west" (west). Both roots trace back to Proto-Germanic (*sunþaz and *westrą) and ultimately Proto-Indo-European (*sú-n- "sun" for south, *wes- "evening" for west). The compound logically denotes the intermediate cardinal direction between south and west, reflecting early Germanic speakers' geographic orientation.

Examples
  1. The storm is moving toward the southwest.

  2. They built a house on the southwest side of the hill.

  3. The wind shifted to a southwest direction overnight.

  4. This room gets sunlight in the southwest corner.

  5. The ancient trade route ran from the northeast to the southwest.