orient

[n., adj. awr-ee-uh nt, ‐ee-ent, ohr-; v. awr-ee-ent, ohr‐] /n., adj. ˈɔr i ənt, ‐iˌɛnt, ˈoʊr-; v. ˈɔr iˌɛnt, ˈoʊr‐/
noun
1.
the Orient,
  1. the countries of Asia, especially East Asia.
  2. (formerly) the countries to the E of the Mediterranean.
2.
Jewelry.
  1. an orient pearl.
  2. 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, especially 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, especially as from below the horizon:
the orient sun.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin orient- (stem of oriēns) the east, sunrise, noun use of present participle of orīrī to rise; see -ent
Related forms
orienter, noun
self-oriented, adjective
well-oriented, adjective
Synonyms
5. accustom, relate, orientate.
Examples from the web for orient
  • They help to orient the reader or sometimes, with intent, to disorient.
  • Similarly magazine business will have to orient itself to a different future if it exists at all.
  • They were likely used first to orient buildings and later to navigate.
  • There's a much more obvious cue to use to orient yourself north-south, and that's the sun.
  • From there orient the map and find the next landmark.
  • orient the spin of the vessel toward the correct object.
  • orient your bed north-south for maximum sun exposure.
  • The current stimulates the vestibular nerve, which the body uses to orient itself in space.
  • Grazing animals are known to orient themselves to minimize heat loss by wind or maximize their exposure to sunlight.
  • Desert ants travel long distances to find food, using celestial cues to orient themselves and find their way.
British Dictionary definitions for orient

orient

noun (ˈɔːrɪənt)
1.
(poetic) another word for east Compare occident
2.
(archaic) the eastern sky or the dawn
3.
  1. the iridescent lustre of a pearl
  2. (as modifier): orient pearls
4.
a pearl of high quality
adjective (ˈɔːrɪənt)
5.
(mainly poetic) eastern
6.
(archaic) (of the sun, stars, etc) rising
verb (ˈɔːrɪˌɛnt)
7.
to adjust or align (oneself or something else) according to surroundings or circumstances
8.
(transitive) to position, align, or set (a map, surveying instrument, etc) with reference to the points of the compass or other specific directions
9.
(transitive) to set or build (a church) in an easterly direction
Word Origin
C18: via French from Latin oriēns rising (sun), from orīrī to rise

Orient

/ˈɔːrɪənt/
noun the Orient
1.
the countries east of the Mediterranean
2.
the eastern hemisphere
Word Origin and History for orient

Orient

n.

c.1300, "the East" (originally usually meaning what is now called the Middle East), from Old French orient "east" (11c.), from Latin orientem (nominative oriens) "the rising sun, the east, part of the sky where the sun rises," originally "rising" (adj.), present participle of oriri "to rise" (see orchestra). The Orient Express was a train that ran from Paris to Istanbul via Vienna 1883-1961, from the start associated with espionage and intrigue.

v.

c.1727, originally "to arrange facing east," from French s'orienter "to take one's bearings," literally "to face the east" (also the source of German orientierung), from Old French orient "east," from Latin orientum (see Orient (n.)). Extended meaning "determine bearings" first attested 1842; figurative sense is from 1850. Related: Oriented; orienting.

orient in Medicine

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.