I. R ˈnȯrthərn sometimes -thən, - R ˈnȯ(ə)thən adjective
Etymology: Middle English northerne, from Old English; akin to Old High German nordrōni northern, Old Norse norrœnn Norwegian; derivative from the root of English north (I)
1. often capitalized
a. : of, relating to, originating or dwelling in, or characteristic of a region (as of the United States or England) conventionally designated North
northern factories
the northern autumn
b. : of, relating to, or typical of northern dialect
2.
a. : lying toward the north
the northern lakes
northern suburbs
b. : coming from the north
a northern snowstorm
3. of a sign of the zodiac : situated north of the equator
II. noun
( -s )
1. usually capitalized : an inhabitant of the North : northerner
2. or northern dialect usually capitalized N : the dialect of English spoken in the part of the United States that lies north of a line running northwest from central New Jersey across the northern tier of counties in Pennsylvania and through northern Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois
3. : pike IV 1a