orienting

o·ri·ent  (ôr-nt, -nt, r-)

n.

1. Orient The countries of Asia, especially of eastern Asia.

2.

a. The luster characteristic of a pearl of high quality.

b. A pearl having exceptional luster.

3. Archaic The place on the horizon where the sun rises; the east.

adj.

1. Having exceptional luster: orient gemstones.

2. Archaic Eastern; oriental.

3. Archaic Rising in the sky; ascending.

v. (ôr-nt, r-) or·i·ent·ed, or·i·ent·ing, or·i·ents

v.tr.

1. To locate or place in a particular relation to the points of the compass: orient the swimming pool north and south.

2.

a. To locate or position so as to face the east.

b. To build (a church) with the nave laid out in an east-west direction and the main altar usually at the eastern end.

3. To align or position with respect to a point or system of reference: oriented the telescope toward the moon; oriented her interests toward health care.

4. To determine the bearings of.

5. To make familiar with or adjusted to facts, principles, or a situation.

6. To focus (the content of a story or film, for example) toward the concerns and interests of a specific group.

v.intr.

1. To turn toward the east.

2. To become adjusted or aligned.

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[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin orins, orient-, rising sun, east, from present participle of orr, to arise, be born; see er-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

orienting - positioning with respect to a reference system or determining your bearings physically or intellectually; "noticed the bee's momentary orienting pause before heading back to the hive"; "an orienting program for new employees" orientating orientated, oriented - adjusted or located in relation to surroundings or circumstances; sometimes used in combination; "the house had its large windows oriented toward the ocean view"; "helping freshmen become oriented to college life"; "the book is value-oriented throughout" disorienting - causing loss of physical or intellectual bearings; "making so many turns to the right and then the left was completely disorienting"; "a sharp blow to the head can be disorienting"