▪ I. north-ˈwester, n.
[f. prec. + -er1.]
1. A wind or gale blowing from the north-west.
| 1737 T. Smith Jrnl. (1849) 267 There has been no north-westers this fall nor winter. 1751 Franklin Lett. Wks. 1840 V. 261, I question whether the strongest north-wester would dissipate it. 1807 W. Irving Salmag. (1824) 271 The brisk north-westers, which prevailed not long since. 1860 Merc. Marine Mag. VII. 199 There is no protection from the heavy swell setting in with a north-wester. |
2. = nor'-wester 2.
| 1830 Marryat King's Own xx, Pouring him out a north-wester. |
▪ II. † north-wester, a. Obs.
= north-west a. 1.
| c 1450 tr. Giraldus Cambrensis' Hist. Irel. (1896) 14 Storkes & swalewes & oþer somer foules..comen, & wyth þe cold north-westre wynd þay ben awey ywent. |