se

Everyday

1. (abbreviation) SE stands for south-east, the direction halfway between south and east. tree →
2. (abbreviation, UK) SE is the start of postcodes in south-east London, as in SE1. tree →
3. (French) se is a small word meaning himself, herself, itself or themselves, used with some verbs, as in il se lave (he washes himself). It sounds like suh. tree →
4. (Spanish) se is a similar small word in Spanish. It is not an English word. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and maths lessons on compass points, SE is one of the eight main directions: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW. In French lessons, se appears in reflexive verbs like se laver (to wash oneself) and s'appeler (to be called). In maps and weather, winds can come from the SE.

Examples

• The wind is blowing from the SE. tree →
• Walk SE across the field to reach the stile. tree →
• SE is halfway between south and east. tree →
• Our cousins live in London SE15. tree →
• Il se lave, means he washes himself. (French) tree →
• On the compass, SE is at 135 degrees. tree →

Note

As a compass direction write SE in capitals; south-east (UK) or southeast (US) in full. In French se becomes s' before a vowel: il s'appelle. Not an English word on its own.

In Jewish tradition

In geography and maths lessons on compass points, SE is one of the eight main directions: N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW. In French lessons, se appears in reflexive verbs like se laver (to wash oneself) and s'appeler (to be called). In maps and weather, winds can come from the SE.

Examples

• Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest; (Torah DEU.12.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. (Torah GEN.13.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• and seest among the captives a woman of goodly form, and thou hast a desire unto her, and wouldest take her to thee to wife; (Torah DEU.21.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Wherefore have we fasted, and Thou seest not? (Prophets ISA.58.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Hast Thou eyes of flesh? or seest Thou as man seeth? (Writings JOB.10.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying: 'Jeremiah, what seest thou?' And I said: 'I see a rod of an almond-tree.' (Prophets JER.1.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

As a compass direction write SE in capitals; south-east (UK) or southeast (US) in full. In French se becomes s' before a vowel: il s'appelle. Not an English word on its own.