southing

[ sou-thing ]

noun

1. Astronomy.
   1. the transit of a heavenly body across the celestial meridian.
   2. south declination.
2. movement or deviation toward the south.
3. distance due south made by a vessel.

southing

/ ˈsaʊðɪŋ /

noun

1. nautical movement, deviation, or distance covered in a southerly direction
2. astronomy a south or negative declination

Word History and Origins

Origin of southing¹

First recorded in 1650–60; south + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

His cell looked South, and thus he could study the movements of the moon and the planets, and note the southing of the stars.

From Project Gutenberg

After the gale blew itself out, a fresh breeze succeeded, which enabled them rapidly to run down their southing.

From Project Gutenberg

But after a few weeks of content the southing spirit again seized upon the old male who had hitherto been the unquestioned leader.

From Project Gutenberg

With a southing wind blowing stiff from the icy Antarctic wastes, they “put it to her!”

From Project Gutenberg

On the 31st, to my mortification, the river held so much to the northward, that we undid almost all our southing.

From Project Gutenberg