I. ˈȯr-ē-ənt, -ē-ˌent noun
Etymology: 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
Date: 14th century
1. archaic : east 1b
2. capitalized : east 2
3.
a. : a pearl of great luster
b. : the luster of a pearl
II. adjective
Date: 15th century
1. archaic : oriental 1
2.
a. : lustrous , sparkling
orient gems
b. archaic : radiant , glowing
3. archaic : rising in the sky
III. ˈȯr-ē-ˌent transitive verb
Etymology: French orienter, from Middle French, from orient
Date: circa 1741
1.
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
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