meridional

The story

1. Latin · derived frommerīdiōnālis
2. Middle French · borrowed frommeridional
3. English todaymeridional

Borrowed from Middle French meridional, from Latin merīdiōnālis, from merīdiēs (“noon; south”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. located in the south, southern; later especially, often pertaining to the southern parts of Europe.
• from 19th c. of or characteristic of southern areas or people, especially those in the southern parts of Europe
• from 15th c. along a north–south direction, or relative to a meridian; or relating to meridians or a meridian