orient
orient Lexical Profile
orient Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To determine one's physical position relative to the surroundings, or to familiarize oneself or someone else with a new situation or environment.
"The university holds a week-long seminar to orient incoming freshmen to campus life and academic expectations."
To align or position something relative to the points of a compass or other specified directions.
"The architects decided to orient the solar panels toward the south to maximize daily energy absorption."
To tailor, direct, or adapt something toward the interests or needs of a particular group or goal.
"The software company plans to orient its new educational platform toward elementary school students."
• noun
The countries and regions of Asia, especially East Asia, historically viewed from a European perspective in contrast to the Occident (usually capitalized as 'the Orient').
"Merchants in the medieval era traveled along the Silk Road to trade for spices and silk from the Orient."
The characteristic iridescent luster or play of light displayed on the surface of a high-quality pearl.
"The jeweler examined the natural pearl under the lamp to grade its warm, rose-tinted orient."
• adjective
Having a superior, radiant luster and iridescent sheen (used especially of pearls and precious stones).
"The antique brooch was set with a large, orient pearl of remarkable clarity."
Rising in the sky, or situated in the east (poetic or archaic).
"The poet described the orient sun casting golden light across the morning sea."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a verb, 'orient' is preferred in American English, while 'orientate' is common in British English; both mean the same thing. As a capitalized noun ('the Orient'), it is now considered dated or literary, with 'East Asia' or 'Asia' preferred in modern usage.
• Rhymes for orient
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Old French from Latin 'oriens' (meaning 'the rising sun' or 'the east'), the present participle of 'oriri' ('to rise'). The verb sense originally referred to building churches so that the altar faced east toward Jerusalem.