orient definition - Dictionary

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	organo-

	organochlorine

	organogenesis

	organogram

	organography

	organoleptic

	organology

	organometallic

	organon

	organophosphate

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	organophosphorus compound

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orient

o·ri·ent [ áwree ent ]

verb (past and past participle o·ri·ent·ed, present participle o·ri·ent·ing, 3rd person present singular o·ri·ents)

Definition:

1. transitive verb familiarize somebody: to accustom somebody or yourself to a new situation or set of surroundings

It might take you a few weeks to orient yourself.

2. transitive verb put somebody or something in position: to position somebody or something facing a particular direction

old stone buildings oriented north-south

3. o·ri·ent your·self [ áwree ent ] vr find your position: to find out where you are and in which direction you need to travel

the seaman's skill of orienting himself by the stars

4. transitive verb direct something: to direct something in a particular way, e.g. toward a particular objective or audience

advertising oriented toward teenage girls

5. transitive verb position something toward east: to position something so that it faces east, especially to build a church so that its length lies east to west, with the main altar at the eastern end

noun

Definition:

1. eastern sky: the eastern part of the sky, where the sun rises ( archaic or literary )

2. ( archaic or literary )
Same as dawn

3. luster of pearl: the luster of a pearl, especially a pearl of high quality ( archaic )

4. [ áwree ent ] (plural o·ri·ents) pearl: a pearl, especially one of high quality ( archaic )

adjective

Definition:

1. ( archaic )
Same as eastern

2. rising: rising in the sky ( archaic or literary )

3. with good luster: describes pearls with an exceptionally rich luster ( archaic )

4. glowing: glowing with a rich bright light ( archaic )

[14th century. Via French< Latin orient-, present participle of oriri "rise"; because the Sun rises in the east]

Word Usage


	orient or orientate? Since the verb orientate has never gained widespread critical acceptance, the careful writer avoids it, using orient, as in We oriented [not orientated] the telescope 50 degrees to the East.She is oriented [not orientated] toward a career in engineering.