oriental

[awr-ee-en-tl, ohr‐] /ˌɔr iˈɛn tl, ˌoʊr‐/
adjective
1.
(usually initial capital letter) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the Orient, or East; Eastern.
2.
of the orient or east; eastern.
3.
(initial capital letter) Zoogeography. belonging to a geographical division comprising southern Asia and the Malay Archipelago as far as and including the Philippines, Borneo, and Java.
4.
Jewelry.
  1. (usually initial capital letter) designating various gems that are varieties of corundum:
    Oriental aquamarine; Oriental ruby.
  2. fine or precious; orient:
    oriental agate; oriental garnet.
  3. designating certain natural saltwater pearls found especially in the Orient.
noun
5.
(usually initial capital letter) a native or inhabitant of the Orient.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin orientālis = orient- the east (see orient) + -ālis -al1
Related forms
orientally, adverb
anti-Oriental, adjective, noun
half-oriental, adjective
nonoriental, adjective, noun
pro-Oriental, adjective, noun
pseudooriental, adjective
pseudoorientally, adverb
quasi-oriental, adjective
quasi-orientally, adverb
semioriental, adjective
semiorientally, adverb
unoriental, adjective
unorientally, adverb
Can be confused
Asian, Asiatic, oriental.
Examples from the web for oriental
  • He began relations with oriental orthodox churches, through reciprocal visits.
  • This is essentially true of oriental molds made of other substances, such as bamboo.
  • oriental prospects western literature and the lure of the east.
  • As a result, many of the rooms in the new wing have a distinctly oriental atmosphere.
British Dictionary definitions for oriental

oriental

/ˌɔːrɪˈɛntəl/
adjective
1.
another word for eastern Compare occidental

Oriental

/ˌɔːrɪˈɛntəl/
adjective
1.
(sometimes not capital) of or relating to the Orient
2.
of or denoting a zoogeographical region consisting of southeastern Asia from India to Borneo, Java, and the Philippines
noun
3.
a breed of slender muscular cat with large ears, long legs, and a long tail
4.
(sometimes not capital) an inhabitant, esp a native, of the Orient
Word Origin and History for oriental
adj.

late 14c., from Old French oriental "eastern, from the east" (12c.) and directly from Latin orientalis "of the east," from orientem (see Orient (n.)). Originally in reference to the sky, geographical sense is attested from late 15c.; oriental carpet first recorded 1868 (in C.Latin Eastlake).

Oriental

n.

"native or inhabitant of the east," 1701, from oriental (adj.).