west

noun

1. 1

   The direction opposite to that of the earth's rotation, specifically 270°.

   We used to live in the west of the country.

   Portugal lies to the west of Spain.

2. 2

   The western region or area; the inhabitants thereof.

3. 3

   In a church: the direction of the gallery, opposite to the altar, and opposite to the direction faced by the priest when celebrating ad orientem.

   In two respects, however, the cathedral [of St. Mary's in Sydney, Australia] differs from English traditions: it is oriented north-south, not east-west; and its main entry is from the south (liturgical west) between the two towers, in the French manner.

   The seating for honored persons (clergy) is at the liturgical west, opposite the entrance and lectern.

   In most worship spaces, this will put the thurifer and gospeller facing liturgical west, book bearer facing liturgical east (or the book on the reading desk), and the torch bearers turned inward, facing the book.

   Throughout the book I refer directionally to the altar and chancel of St. Andrew's as situated at ecclesiastical east (to avoid overcomplicating matters), not geographical or magnetic southeast. Thus, the altar is located at the east end of the church, and the gallery, at the west.

adjective

1. 1

   Situated or lying in or toward the west; westward.

2. 2

   Of wind: from the west.

3. 3

   Of or pertaining to the west; western.

4. 4

   From the West; occidental.

5. 5

   Designating, or situated in, the liturgical west, that part of a church which is opposite to, and farthest from, the part containing the chancel.

   Interior in 1925, (left) looking north to chancel and (right) looking south (to liturgical west end) It was on account of this connection that St James's became the clowns 'church', an annual clowns' service being held there ...

   as in the mosaic of the ascension on San Frediano's liturgical west (geographically east) façade.

   Spence had decided on a huge image of Christ on the [liturgical] east end [which is the geographic north], filling the entire wall and to be visible through the [liturgical] West Window (Fig. 24.2).

adverb

1. 1

   Towards the west; westwards.

   This thoroughfare bears (to the) West.

verb

1. 1

   To move to the west; (of the sun), to set.

   Foure times his place he shifted hath in sight, / And twice has risen, where he now doth West, / And wested twice, where he ought rise aright.

Forms

plural

wests

comparative

further west, farther west

superlative

furthest west, farthest west

past tense

wested

past participle

wested

present participle

westing

third person singular

wests