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Glite Dictionary
northeast by north

northeast by north

1 6.7
A compass direction slightly north of northeast, about 34 degrees from east
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : noreste por norte
  • The wind shifted from northeast to northeast by north late in the afternoon.

Examples

  • The ship was heading northeast by north to avoid the storm.

  • The ship sailed northeast by north to reach the harbor.

  • On the map, the trail runs in a northeast by north direction from the cabin.

  • Head northeast by north for about five miles.

  • The captain adjusted the ship's course to northeast by north to avoid the rocks.

  • To reach the lighthouse, you should head northeast by north for about 5 miles.

  • The map indicated that the treasure was buried northeast by north of the old oak tree.

Synonyms

NEbN
vsnortheast by north
  • Specialized
9.9

A compass direction slightly north of northeast at 33.75°

is the full verbal form instead of the short label

Surface Forms

northeast by north singular

Morphology

northeast + by + north

The phrase is built transparently from 'northeast' and 'north' with 'by' indicating a directional relation, so a learner who knows the words can infer it refers to a direction between northeast and north. However, the exact navigational convention that 'by' means a single compass point (the precise 33°45′/one-point offset) is specialized knowledge not predictable from everyday meanings, so full interpretation requires domain-specific exposure.

Etymology

Northeast by north comes from the old compass rose used by mapmakers and sailors. It means one small step from northeast toward north, so the phrase names a very exact 'direction'.