west

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.

The western region or area; the inhabitants thereof.

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.

• 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.

Situated or lying in or toward the west; westward.not-comparable

Of wind: from the west.not-comparable

Of or pertaining to the west; western.not-comparable

From the West; occidental.not-comparable

Designating, or situated in, the liturgical west, that part of a church which is opposite to, and farthest from, the part containing the chancel.not-comparable

• 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.

Towards the west; westwards.

• This thoroughfare bears (to the) West.

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

• 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.