souther

1. comparativecomparative form of south: more south; southern

plural southers

1. A strong wind blowing from the south.

   A northeaster in one place may be an easter, a norther, or a souther in some other locality.

   1902, John Burroughs, Locusts and Wild Honey, page 81

present singular third person southers · participle present southering · participle past southered · past southered

1. To move toward the south.

   In that time three other packets loaded, and when the wind southered the four put to sea in company.

   1986, Hervey Benham, Once Upon a Tide, page 207

   3 more examples

   Having passed across in sight of this place, the Santa Anna tacked and stood off, as though she were awaiting a pilot, but none appearing, southered her course as if about to proceed down the coast ; having, however, rounded a small island in the river's mouth, covered with lofty trees, which completely concealed their presence, they again anchored.

   1878, Percy Bolingbroke St. John, The flower of the forest; or, Mary Rock, page 71

   Very probably they had already made first nests further north, which had their contents destroyed, and they fled south and were more successful with second broods. The consequence of this southering of breeding birds would in all probability cause a southering of their autumn migration routes;

   1904, John Alexander Harvie-Brown, H. A. Macpherson, Fauna of the North-West Highlands and Skye, page 292

   The best anchorage in summer for small vessels, gun-brigs, &c. will be found, West point of Berlinga island bearing W. b. N. East point N.N.E. 1/2 E. and the Old Fort on the inner point of the small Sandy bay N. 3/4 W. where you will have eleven fathoms sandy bottom, and good holding ground at tabout three cables length from the shore, which will be of little consequence, inasmuch as the wind generally sets in from the north, and gives good warning ere it southers.

   2010, James Stanier Clarke, John McArthur, The Naval Chronicle: Volume 30, July-December 1813, →ISBN

2. ScotlanddialectalTo fix; remedy; put to rights.

   He works brass and copper, an' a' sic like mettles, Walds broken brass pans, southers auld copper kettles;

   1843, James Ballantine, The Gaberlunzie's Wallet, page 129

   3 more examples

   Reuben's a gude lad and a kind—I have aye allowed that ; but as to his not allowing enquiry anent the scandal of Margery Kittlesides and Rory MacRand, under pretence that they have southered sin wi' marriage, it's clear again the Christian discipline o' the kirk.

   1818, Sir Walter Scott, The Heart of Midlothian

   The laddies ran to him to redd ilka quarrel, An' he southered a' up wi' a snap or a farl ; While vice that had daured to stain virtue's pure laurel, Shrunk cowed frae the glance o' the stalwart auld carl :

   1878, John Donald Carrick, Alexander Rodger, David Robertson, Whistle-Binkie: Or, The Piper of the Party

   At the time all was war and rebellion with the tollman-- assault and battery, damages, broken panes, and what not ; but with skilful management, and a few words in the private ear of Mr Rory Sneckdrawer, the penny-writer, we got matters southered up when we were in our sober senses.

   1895, David Macbeth Moir, The Life of Mansie Wauch: Tailor in Dalkeith, page 169

plural Southers

1. A surname.