septentrion

American  

[sep-ten-tree-on, -uhn] / sɛpˈtɛn triˌɒn, -ən /

noun

1. Obsolete. the north.

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septentrion British  

/ sɛpˈtɛntrɪˌɒn /

noun

1. archaic the northern regions or the north

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• septentrional
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of septentrion

1350–1400; Middle English Septemtrio ( u ) n < Latin septemtriōnēs, septentriōnēs the seven stars of Ursa Major, the north, equivalent to septem seven + triōnēs (plural) plowing oxen

Example Sentences

Au levant, au septentrion et au midi, elle a une grande plaine; au ponant, une montagne au pied de laquelle sont batis les faubourgs.

From The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 10 Asia, Part III by Hakluyt, Richard

Also in the head of that sea of Galilee, toward the septentrion is a strong castle and an high that hight Saphor. 

From The Travels of Sir John Mandeville by Mandeville, John, Sir