/ ˈwestəli; NAmE -ərli/ adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] in or towards the west :
travelling in a westerly direction
2.
[ usually before noun ] ( of winds ) blowing from the west :
westerly gales
—compare west
■ noun
( pl. -ies ) a wind that blows from the west :
light westerlies
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent.: from obsolete wester western + -ly .