Main Entry: south·ern

Pronunciation: \ˈsə-thərn\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English southern, southren, from Old English sūtherne; akin to Old High German sundrōni southern, Old English sūth south

Date: before 12th century

1 capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of a region conventionally designated South
2 a : lying toward the south b : coming from the south <a southern breeze>

— south·ern·most \-ˌmōst\ adjective

— south·ern·ness \-thərn-nəs\ noun often capitalized