-oriented - The Dictionary

o·ri·ent (ôr??-?nt, -?nt?)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??-?nt?) 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.[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin ori?ns, orient-, rising sun, east, from present participle of or?r?, 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.