orient

[ noun, adjective awr-ee-uhnt, ‐ee-ent, ohr-; verb awr-ee-ent, ohr‐ ]

/ noun, adjective ˈɔr i ənt, ‐iˌɛnt, ˈoʊr-; verb ˈɔr iˌɛnt, ˈoʊr‐ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR orient ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the Orient,

the countries of Asia, especially East Asia.
(formerly) the countries to the E of the Mediterranean.

Jewelry.

an orient pearl.
the iridescence of a pearl.

the east; the eastern region of the heavens or the world.

verb (used with object) Also especially British, orientate.

to adjust with relation to, or bring into due relation to surroundings, circumstances, facts, etc.

to familiarize (a person) with new surroundings or circumstances, or the like: lectures designed to orient the new students.

to place in any definite position with reference to the points of the compass or other locations: to orient a building north and south.

to direct or position toward a particular object: Orient it toward that house.

to determine the position of in relation to the points of the compass; get the bearings of.

to place so as to face the east, especially to build (a church) with the chief altar to the east and the chief entrance to the west.

Surveying. to set (the horizontal circle of a surveying instrument) so that readings give correct azimuths.

Mathematics. to assign to (a surface) a constant, outward direction at each point.

verb (used without object) Also especially British, orientate.

to turn toward the east or in any specified direction.

adjective

(of a gem or pearl) exceptionally fine and lustrous; oriental.

Archaic. rising or appearing, especially as from below the horizon: the orient sun.

Origin of orient

1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin orient- (stem of oriēns) “the east, sunrise,” noun use of present participle of orīrī “to rise”; see -ent

SYNONYMS FOR orient

5 accustom, relate.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR orient ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM orient

o·ri·ent·er, noun self-o·ri·ent·ed, adjective well-o·ri·ent·ed, adjective

Words nearby orient

orgy, oribi, orichalcum, oriel, oriel window, orient, orient express, oriental, oriental alabaster, oriental almandine, oriental beetle

Example sentences from the Web for oriented

This is an inverse Pietà, and something of a sexual anarchist; she ardently refuses to be oriented in an orientation.

Is Bigger Better for St. Vincent? |David Yaffe |December 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
One key constituency advocating “creative class” oriented development has been the grandees of urban real estate.

Richard Florida Concedes the Limits of the Creative Class |Joel Kotkin |March 20, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
The dolmens were not oriented according to any fixed system.

Rough Stone Monuments and Their Builders |T. Eric Peet
He oriented the prayer carpet toward the southeast and stood at the end of it.

The Saracen: The Holy War |Robert Shea

I think I have oriented myself without having the reporter read and may I proceed, Mr. Chairman?

Warren Commission (3 of 26): Hearings Vol. III (of 15) |The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
The board is said to be oriented when the needle is parallel to the sides of the compass trough of the drawing board, Fig 2.

Manual of Military Training |James A. Moss
Using the rays filtering through the murk as a guide, he oriented himself.

The Flying Stingaree |Harold Leland Goodwin

British Dictionary definitions for oriented (1 of 2)

Orient

/ (ˈɔːrɪənt) /

noun the Orient

the countries east of the Mediterranean

the eastern hemisphere

British Dictionary definitions for oriented (2 of 2)

orient

noun (ˈɔːrɪənt)

poetic another word for east Compare occident

archaic the eastern sky or the dawn

the iridescent lustre of a pearl
(as modifier)orient pearls

a pearl of high quality

adjective (ˈɔːrɪənt)

mainly poetic eastern

archaic (of the sun, stars, etc) rising

verb (ˈɔːrɪˌɛnt)

to adjust or align (oneself or something else) according to surroundings or circumstances

(tr) to position, align, or set (a map, surveying instrument, etc) with reference to the points of the compass or other specific directions

(tr) to set or build (a church) in an easterly direction

Word Origin for orient

C18: via French from Latin oriēns rising (sun), from orīrī to rise

Medical definitions for oriented

orient

[ ôr′ē-ənt, -ĕnt′ ]

v.

To locate or place in a particular relation to the points of the compass.

To align or position with respect to a point or system of reference.

To make familiar with or adjusted to facts, principles, or a situation.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

orient

noun

verb (used with object) Also especially British, orientate.

verb (used without object) Also especially British, orientate.

adjective

Origin of orient

SYNONYMS FOR orient

OTHER WORDS FROM orient

Words nearby orient

Example sentences from the Web for oriented

British Dictionary definitions for oriented (1 of 2)

noun the Orient

British Dictionary definitions for oriented (2 of 2)

noun (ˈɔːrɪənt)

adjective (ˈɔːrɪənt)

verb (ˈɔːrɪˌɛnt)

Word Origin for orient

Medical definitions for oriented

v.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

orient

noun

verb (used with object) Also especially British, orientate.

verb (used without object) Also especially British, orientate.

adjective

Origin of orient

SYNONYMS FOR orient

OTHER WORDS FROM orient

Words nearby orient

Words related to oriented

Example sentences from the Web for oriented

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for oriented (1 of 2)

noun the Orient

British Dictionary definitions for oriented (2 of 2)

noun (ˈɔːrɪənt)

adjective (ˈɔːrɪənt)

verb (ˈɔːrɪˌɛnt)

Word Origin for orient

Medical definitions for oriented

v.

British Dictionary definitions for oriented (1 of 2)