southern states

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Southern \South"ern\ (?; 277), a. [AS. s[=u][eth]ern. See
   {South}.]
   Of or pertaining to the south; situated in, or proceeding
   from, the south; situated or proceeding toward the south.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Southern Cross} (Astron.), a constellation of the southern
      hemisphere containing several bright stars so related in
      position as to resemble a cross.

   {Southern Fish} (Astron.), a constelation of the southern
      hemisphere ({Piscis Australis}) containing the bright star
      Fomalhaut.

   {Southern States} (U.S. Hist. & Geog.), the States of the
      American Union lying south of Pennsylvania and the Ohio
      River, with Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. Before the
      Civil War, Missouri also, being a slave State, was classed
      as one of the Southern States.
      [1913 Webster]
    

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