[ori.ent] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. L orient-, oriens, fr. prp. of oriri to rise; akin to Skt rnoti he moves, arises, Gk ornynai to rouse, oros mountain] (14c) 1 archaic: east 1b
2. cap: east
2. 3 a: a pearl of great luster b: the luster of a pearl
[2]orient adj (15c) 1 archaic: oriental 1
2. a: lustrous, sparkling "~ gems" b archaic: radiant, glowing 3 archaic: rising in the sky [3]ori.ent vt [F orienter, fr. MF, fr. orient] (ca. 1741) 1 a: to cause to face or point toward the east; specif: 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 esp. in relation to the points of the compass c: to ascertain the bearings of
2. a: to set right by adjusting to facts or principles b: to acquaint with the existing situation or environment
3: to direct (as a book or film) toward the interests of a particular group
4: to cause the axes of the molecules of to assume the same direction