Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - west

 I. adverb  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German ~ar to the ~ and probably to Latin vesper evening, Greek hesperos  Date: before 12th century to, toward, or in the ~  II. adjective  Date: before 12th century  1. situated toward or at the ~ the ~ exit  2. coming from the ~ a ~ wind  III. noun  Date: 12th century  1.  a. the general direction of sunset ; the direction to the left of one facing north  b. the compass point directly opposite to east  2. capitalized  a. regions or countries lying to the ~ of a specified or implied point of orientation  b. the noncommunist countries of Europe and America  3. the end of a church opposite the chancel  4. often capitalized  a. the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the ~ or at the left of a diagram  b. a person (as a bridge player) occupying this position during a specified activity WEST  I. biographical name Benjamin 1738-1820 American painter  II. biographical name Nathanael 1903-1940 originally Nathan Wallenstein Weinstein American novelist  III. biographical name Dame Rebecca 1892-1983 pseudonym of Cicily Isabel Andrews nee Fairfield English critic & novelist  IV. biographical name Thomas — see De La Warr