wes

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. &unr_;. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;. Cf. Vesper, Visigoth. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

And fresh from the west is the free wind's breath. Bryant. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A country, or region of country, which, with regard to some other country or region, is situated in the direction toward the west. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

West by north,
West by south, according to the notation of the mariner's compass, that point which lies 111/4° to the north or south, respectively, of the point due west. --
West northwest,
West southwest, that point which lies 221/2° to the north or south of west, or halfway between west and northwest or southwest, respectively. See Illust. of Compass. [ 1913 Webster ]