Meridional

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Meridional is a geographic term that means along a north-south direction, or relative to a meridian (opposite: zonal, east-west). In the atmospheric sciences, the meridional coordinate is usually denoted by y, and the meridional component of the wind speed by v.

In a less common and largely obsolete sense, meridional means "of the south" (opposite: septentrional, "of the north").

Etym.: [Middle English, pertaining to the sun's position at noon, from Old French meridionel, southern, from Late Latin meridionalis, from Latin meridianus, of midday, southern.]

adj. 1. Of or relating to meridians or a meridian. 2. Located in the south; southern. 3. Of or characteristic of southern areas or people.

n. An inhabitant of a southern region, especially the south of France.