suðern

suðern is an Old Norse word that translates to "southern" or "southward". It is derived from the Old Norse word "suðr" which means "south". The suffix "-ern" indicates direction.

In Old Norse literature, suðern is often used to describe geographical locations, indicating a region or direction south of a given point. It can also be used adverbially, meaning "towards the south". For example, a journey might be described as going "suðern" if the destination lay to the south.

The word is related to similar terms in other Germanic languages, such as the Old English "sūðerne" and modern English "southern". These cognates highlight the shared linguistic roots of these languages.

While the word itself is archaic, its meaning remains directly understandable in modern English. The concept of "southern" is a fundamental directional descriptor used across many languages and cultures. The presence of suðern in Old Norse texts provides insight into the directional vocabulary and geographical understanding of the Viking Age Norse people.