¹orient

noun ori·ent \ˈȯr-ē-ənt, -ē-ˌent\

Definition of ORIENT

archaic : east 1b

capitalized : east 2

a : a pearl of great luster

b : the luster of a pearl

Origin of ORIENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin orient-, oriens, from present participle of oriri to rise; akin to Sanskrit ṛṇoti he moves, arises, Greek ornynai to rouse, oros mountain

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with ORIENT

accident, aliment, Blaenau Gwent, circumvent, compartment, complement, compliment, confident, devilment, diffident, discontent, document, evident, heaven-sent, implement, incident, instrument, Jack-a-Lent, malcontent, nonevent, Occident, ornament, provident, regiment, reinvent, represent, re-present, resident, Saint-Laurent, sediment, self-content, subsequent, supplement

²orient

adjective

Definition of ORIENT

archaic : oriental 1

a : lustrous, sparkling <orient gems>

b archaic : radiant, glowing

archaic : rising in the sky

First Known Use of ORIENT

15th century

³orient

verb ori·ent \ˈȯr-ē-ˌent\

: to change or create (something, such as a book or a film) so that it appeals to a particular group of people or is suitable for a particular group of people

: to direct (someone) toward a goal

: to place (something) in a particular position or direction

Full Definition of ORIENT

transitive verb

a : to cause to face or point toward the east; specifically : to build (a church or temple) with the longitudinal axis pointing eastward and the chief altar at the eastern end

b : to set or arrange in any determinate position especially in relation to the points of the compass

c : to ascertain the bearings of

a : to set right by adjusting to facts or principles

b : to acquaint with the existing situation or environment

: to direct (as a book or film) toward the interests of a particular group

: to cause the axes of the molecules of to assume the same direction

See orient defined for English-language learners

See orient defined for kids