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orient

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o⋅ri⋅ent

  [n., adj. awr-ee-uhnt, ‑ee-ent, ohr-; v. awr-ee-ent, ohr‑]
Use orient in a Sentence
–noun
1. the Orient,
a. the countries of Asia, esp. East Asia.
b. (formerly) the countries to the E of the Mediterranean.
2. Jewelry.
a. an orient pearl.
b. the iridescence of a pearl.
3. the east; the eastern region of the heavens or the world.
–verb (used with object)
4. to adjust with relation to, or bring into due relation to surroundings, circumstances, facts, etc.
5. to familiarize (a person) with new surroundings or circumstances, or the like: lectures designed to orient the new students.
6. to place in any definite position with reference to the points of the compass or other locations: to orient a building north and south.
7. to direct or position toward a particular object: Orient it toward that house.
8. to determine the position of in relation to the points of the compass; get the bearings of.
9. to place so as to face the east, esp. to build (a church) with the chief altar to the east and the chief entrance to the west.
10. Surveying. to set (the horizontal circle of a surveying instrument) so that readings give correct azimuths.
11. Mathematics. to assign to (a surface) a constant, outward direction at each point.
–verb (used without object)
12. to turn toward the east or in any specified direction.
–adjective
13. (of a gem or pearl) exceptionally fine and lustrous; oriental.
14. Archaic. rising or appearing, esp. as from below the horizon: the orient sun.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < MF < L orient- (s. of oriēns) the east, sunrise, n. use of prp. of orīrī to rise; see -ent

Related forms:
o⋅ri⋅ent⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
5. accustom, relate, orientate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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o·ri·ent   (ôr'ē-ənt, -ěnt', ōr'-)   
n.  

  1. Orient The countries of Asia, especially of eastern Asia.

    1. The luster characteristic of a pearl of high quality.

    2. A pearl having exceptional luster.

  3. Archaic The place on the horizon where the sun rises; the east.

adj.  

  1. Having exceptional luster: orient gemstones.

  2. Archaic Eastern; oriental.

  3. Archaic Rising in the sky; ascending.

v.   (ôr'ē-ěnt', ōr'-) or·i·ent·ed, or·i·ent·ing, or·i·ents

v.   tr.

  1. To locate or place in a particular relation to the points of the compass: orient the swimming pool north and south.

    1. To locate or position so as to face the east.

    2. To build (a church) with the nave laid out in an east-west direction and the main altar usually at the eastern end.

  3. 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.

  4. To determine the bearings of.

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

  6. To focus (the content of a story or film, for example) toward the concerns and interests of a specific group.

v.   intr.

  1. To turn toward the east.

  2. To become adjusted or aligned.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin oriēns, orient-, rising sun, east, from present participle of orīrī, to arise, be born; see er-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ori·ent
Pronunciation: 'Or-E-"ent, 'or-
Function: transitive verb
1 : to set or arrange in any determinate position especially inrelation to the points of the compass
2 : to acquaint with or adjust according to the existing situation or environment
3 : to cause the axes of the moleculesof to assume the same direction
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

orient o·ri·ent (ôr'ē-ənt, -ěnt')
v. or·i·ent·ed, or·i·ent·ing, or·i·ents

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

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

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

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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