heafodwind

From hēafod- +‎ wind. Cognate with Old Norse höfuðvindr.

• IPA^(key): /ˈxæ͜ɑː.fodˌwind/, [ˈhæ͜ɑː.vodˌwind]

hēafodwind m

1. a wind from one of the four chief points of the compass
   • c. 994, Ælfric, On the Twelve Winds

     Fēower heafodwindas synd. Sē fyrmesta is ēasterne wind, subsolanus ġehāten, for þām ðe hē blæwð frām ðǣre sunnan upspringe, ⁊ ys swyðe ġemetegod. Sē ōðer heafodwind is sūðerne, auster ġehāten, sē āstyreð wolcnu, ⁊ ligettas, ⁊ mistlice cwyld blǣwð geond ðās eorðan.

     There are four headwinds. The first is the eastern wind, called subsolanus, because it blows from where the sun rises, and is very moderate. The second headwind is southern, called auster, which stirs up clouds, and lightnings, and blows various plagues around the earth.

2. main wind

Strong a-stem:

• Middle English: *hedwind
  • English: headwind