north-northeast vs nor'-nor'-east

north-northeast is not a noun while nor'-nor'-east is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
north-northeast	No	No	No	Yes
nor'-nor'-east	Yes	No	No	Yes

As adverbs, north-northeast and nor'-nor'-east are synonyms defined as:

north-northeast and nor'-nor'-east: to, toward, or in the north-northeast

north-northeast (noun)	nor'-nor'-east (noun)
	the compass point that is midway between north and northeast

north-northeast (adverb)	nor'-nor'-east (adverb)
to, toward, or in the north-northeast	to, toward, or in the north-northeast