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Glite Dictionary
🧭 Between main directions 🧭 A halfway direction
intercardinal

intercardinal

8.2
Relating to directions halfway between the main compass points like northeast
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪntərˈkɑrdɪnəl/
: intercardinal
  • DIAGRAM: The system of orientation of the Quechua people of highland Peru is fundamentally intercardinal and based upon the points of sunrise and sunset at the solstices.

Examples

  • The map indicates the location of the intercardinal directions, showing where northeast and southwest are located.

  • The two main thoroughfares of the village intersect here and are said to be intercardinal (not founded on North).

    Academic text (1991)

  • In navigation, understanding intercardinal points like southeast can enhance your ability to find your way.

  • The weather vane spins to point towards the intercardinal directions, helping us determine the wind's origin.

Surface Forms

intercardinal positive

Morphology

intercardinal = cardinal (transparent) = inter + cardinal

The prefix 'inter-' meaning 'between' combined with 'cardinal' (main compass points) directly yields 'between the cardinal points'; the relation is clear to learners.

Etymology

Intercardinal comes from the parts inter- meaning 'between' and cardinal meaning 'main', as in 'cardinal directions', so as an adjective it describes directions that are 'between' the main compass points, like 'northeast' or 'southwest'.