easterly

[ee-ster-lee]

adjective

moving, directed, or situated toward the east: an easterly course.

(especially of a wind) coming from the east: an easterly gale.

adverb

toward the east.

from the east.

noun, plural east·er·lies.

a wind that blows from the east.

Origin of easterly

1540–50; obsolete easter eastern (see easterling) + -ly

Related formseast·er·li·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for easterlies

Historical Examples of easterlies

The “westerlies” meet “easterlies” from the polar highs at about 50-60° N. and S.
Deserts
A. S. Walker

British Dictionary definitions for easterlies

easterly

adjective

of, relating to, or situated in the east

adverb, adjective

towards or in the direction of the east

from the eastan easterly wind

noun plural -lies

a wind from the east

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for easterlies

easterly

adv.

1540s, from easter (late 14c.), variant of eastern + -ly (2). As a noun meaning "easterly wind," by 1901. Old English easterlic meant "pertaining to Easter."

Science definitions for easterlies

easterly

[ē′stər-lē]

A wind, especially a prevailing wind, that blows from the east. The trade winds in tropical regions and the prevailing winds in the polar regions are easterlies. See illustration at wind.