Etymology: < north n. + -en suffix⁴; in Shetland use (in sense 1a) probably ultimately < the unattested Norn reflex of the early Scandinavian word represented by Old Icelandic norðan northen adv. In sense 2 probably < northen (in northen-wind n. at northen adv. 1), apparently reanalysed as north adv. + -en suffix⁴; for a parallel development in other Germanic languages see discussion at northen adv. Compare southen adj., easten adj., westen adj.In modern U.S. regional and nonstandard use probably partly representing a non-rhotic pronunciation of northern adj.

Etymology: Cognate with Middle Dutch norden from the north, Old Saxon norðan from the north (Middle Low German nōrden to the north), Old High German nordan (also nordanān ) from the north, nordana from or to the north (Middle High German norden from, in, or to the north), Old Icelandic norðan from the north, Old Swedish norþan from, in, or to the north, Old Danish northæn from the north (Danish norden in or to the north) < the Germanic base of north adv. + a Germanic suffix forming adverbs expressing motion ‘from’ (see nethen adv.). In sense 2 perhaps after use in phrases. Use as a noun (in sense ‘the north’) is attested as a later development in several Germanic languages (compare the forms listed at north adv., adj., and n.). Compare benorth adv. and prep., and also easten adv., southen adv., westen adv.With Old English norðan-wind compare Middle Dutch nordenwint (Dutch noordenwind ), Middle Low German nōrdenwint , Old High German nordanwint , Old Icelandic norðanvindr , Swedish nordanvind , Danish nordenvind ; in later use frequently with the first element reanalysed either as noun or adjective (compare northen adj.).