Windward and leeward
In geography and seamanship, windward (/ˈwɪndwərd, ˈwɪnərd/) and leeward (/ˈliːwərd, ˈljuːərd/) are directions relative to the wind. Windward is upwind from the point of reference, i.e., towards the direction from which the wind is coming; leeward is downwind from the point of reference, i.e., along the direction towards which the wind is going.
The side of a ship that is towards the leeward is its "lee side". If the vessel is
Since it captures rainfall, the windward side of a mountain tends to be wetter than the leeward side it blocks. The drier leeward area is said to be in a rain shadow.
Origin
The term "windward" has roots in both Low German and Old English. The word "lee", which means a place without wind, comes from the Old Norse "hle" for "cover" and has been used in marine navigation in Germany since medieval times. The word "wind," meaning "air in motion," comes from Proto-Germanic *winda- and has evolved over time, with pronunciation changes influenced by similar words like "windy." The word "wind" has been associated with emptiness and vanity since the late 13th century. Additionally, "wind" has been used figuratively in phrases like "which way the wind blows" to indicate the current state of affairs. The suffix "-ward," meaning "toward," is an adverbial suffix in Old English derived from Proto-Germanic *werda-, which itself comes from the PIE root *wer- meaning "to turn, bend." The original notion of "-ward" is "turned toward."[1][2]
Usage
Windward and leeward directions (and the
Nautical
Among sailing craft, the windward vessel is normally the more maneuverable. For this reason, rule 12 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, applying to sailing vessels, stipulates that where two are sailing in similar directions in relation to the wind, the windward vessel gives way to the leeward vessel.[4]
In naval warfare during the
This was particularly important once artillery was introduced to naval warfare. Ships heel away from the wind, so the leeward vessel would expose more of her topsides to shot, in extreme cases even part of her bottom.[6]
Describing islands
The terms windward and leeward are used in reference both to sides (and climates
In an archipelago windward islands are upwind and leeward islands are downwind of the prevailing winds, such as the trade winds of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
See also
- Cape Verde Islands
- Downstream and upstream
- Foehn wind
- Lee shore
- List of nautical terms
- Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, also known as Leeward Islands
- Windward Islands, Leeward Islands and Leeward Antilles (in the Lesser Antilles)
- Windward Islands and Leeward Islands (in the Society Islands)
References
- ^ "Plattwort: Luv un Lee". Die Welt (in German). 3 August 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
- ^ Douglas Harper (3 June 2023). "Windward". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ISBN 978-0-911284-01-0. Archivedfrom the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ISBN 978-971-23-2239-6. Archivedfrom the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2016. Handling of the leeward vessel may be severely affected if she passes into the lee of the windward vessel. Handling of the windward vessel is free of such complication.
- ISBN 978-1-4738-5285-3. Archivedfrom the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ISBN 978-1-84383-367-3. Archivedfrom the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ISBN 978-0-9877029-0-6. Archivedfrom the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2016.