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Glite Dictionary
east by north

east by north

9.1
A compass direction one point north of due east
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : este por norte
  • The ship set its course to east by north to avoid the rocky coastline.

Examples

  • According to the old map, the treasure is buried three miles east by north of the lighthouse.

  • The wind shifted suddenly from east to east by north, changing the direction of the sails.

  • The ship sailed towards east by north.

  • Can you navigate to east by north from here?

  • According to the old map, the treasure is buried three miles east by north of the lighthouse.

  • The ship set its course to east by north to avoid the rocky coastline.

  • Can you navigate to east by north from here?

Synonyms

EbN
vseast by north
  • Archaic
9.9

A compass direction slightly north of east at 78°45′

is the full written phrase used instead of an abbreviated compass label

Surface Forms

east by north singular
east by norths plural

Morphology

east + by + north

The phrase can be reasonably interpreted from its parts as 'east but slightly toward north' — a B1 learner who knows 'east', 'by' (near/next to) and 'north' should infer a direction a little north of due east. However, the specific navigational convention and exact angle (one compass point) are specialized and not fully predictable from everyday use of 'by', so full comprehension requires background knowledge.

Etymology

East by north is a compass phrase from sailors who used a wheel with many small points. It literally meant a small step from east toward north, so sailors used east by north to show a very exact 'direction'.