southing

American  

[sou-thing] / ˈsaʊ ðɪŋ /

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.

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southing British  

/ ˈsaʊðɪŋ /

noun

1. nautical movement, deviation, or distance covered in a southerly direction

2. astronomy a south or negative declination

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Etymology

Origin of southing

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

Example Sentences

Consequently the southing bergs must have piled up on the Newfoundland and Labrador coasts, as though Jack Frost and King Neptune, bored with spring gambling, had laid aside their sea dice.

From Time Magazine Archive

He must have patience, however, and strive to make the most of it by keeping on that tack by which most southing is to be gained.

From The Lieutenant and Commander Being Autobigraphical Sketches of His Own Career, from Fragments of Voyages and Travels by Hall, Basil

The more southing they have in them, the less moisture, until the extreme south-eastern portion of Texas, or the country near the mouth of the Rio Grande, is one of almost constant drought.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 3, March, 1862 by Various

"Five minutes, and yon star comes to his southing," said the person he addressed.

From Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 by Roby, John

A good many miles had been covered by the time the afternoon waned; although not a great deal of southing may have been made.

From Chums in Dixie or The Strange Cruise of a Motorboat by Rathborne, St. George