orienting

o·ri·ent

 (ôr′ē-ənt, -ĕnt′)

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.

tr.v. (ôr′ē-ĕnt′) or·i·ent·ed, or·i·ent·ing, or·i·ents

1.

a. To align or position in a particular direction or in a particular relation to the points of the compass: orient the swimming pool north and south; oriented the telescope toward the moon.

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

2. To determine the bearings of (oneself); cause (one) to know one's position in relation to the surroundings: oriented himself by the neon sign on top of the building.

3. To make familiar with a new situation: events to help students get oriented to life on campus.

4. To provide with a primary purpose or focus of attention: a medical system that is oriented toward the prevention of disease.

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

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.