o·ri·ent
(ôr
-
nt, -
nt
,
r
-)
KEY
NOUN:
-
Orient
The countries of Asia, especially of eastern Asia.
-
- The luster characteristic of a pearl of high quality.
- A pearl having exceptional luster.
-
Archaic
The place on the horizon where the sun rises; the east.
ADJECTIVE:
- Having exceptional luster:
orient gemstones.
-
Archaic
Eastern; oriental.
-
Archaic
Rising in the sky; ascending.
VERB:
or·i·ent·ed
,
or·i·ent·ing
,
or·i·ents
(ôr
-
nt
,
r
-)
VERB:
tr.
- To locate or place in a particular relation to the points of the compass:
orient the swimming pool north and south.
-
- To locate or position so as to face the east.
- To build (a church) with the nave laid out in an east-west direction and the main altar usually at the eastern end.
- To align or position with respect to a point or system of reference:
oriented the telescope toward the moon; oriented her interests toward health care.
- To determine the bearings of.
- To make familiar with or adjusted to facts, principles, or a situation.
- To focus (the content of a story or film, for example) toward the concerns and interests of a specific group.
VERB:
intr.
- To turn toward the east.
- To become adjusted or aligned.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin
orins
, orient-,
rising sun, east, from present participle of
or
r,
to arise, be born; see
er-
1 in Indo-European roots
