/ ˈiːstən; NAmE -ərn/ adjective
1.
(also Eastern ) [ only before noun ] ( abbr. E ) located in the east or facing east :
eastern Spain
Eastern Europe
the eastern slopes of the mountain
2.
(usually Eastern ) connected with the part of the world that is to the east of Europe :
Eastern cookery
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English ēasterne (as east , -ern ).