orient
Definitions
To position or align something relative to a direction or reference point
使朝向，调整方向
To make oneself familiar with a new situation; to find one's bearings
使适应，使熟悉环境；确定方位
(the Orient) the countries of the East, especially East Asia
（the Orient）东方，东洋（尤指东亚）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin oriens, 'the rising (sun),' hence the East. Medieval maps and churches were built facing East, so 'to orient' meant 'to align with the East.' The compass direction faded and only the act of aligning with a fixed reference remained — to orient yourself is to work out which way you face.
Root ori still carries 38 more wordsWhy It Means This
Why does a word for 'the East' come to mean 'find your direction'? Because to orient a map or an altar literally meant to turn it toward the East (the orient). Once that became the standard way of aligning things, the East dropped out and 'orient' kept only the idea of lining up with a fixed point.
Usage Guide
Note the AmE/BrE split: Americans often use orient (orient yourself), while British English frequently uses orientate / orientate yourself for the same meaning. As a noun, the East sense is capitalized — the Orient — and now sounds dated or literary.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Try to orient the map so it matches the road ahead.
- 2.
It took me a few days to orient myself in the new city.
- 3.
The company has oriented its strategy toward Asian markets.