East word meaning and definition

[noun] the region of the United States lying north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River
[noun] the countries of Asia
[noun] the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
[adv] to, toward, or in the east; "we travelled east for several miles"
[adjective] situated in or facing or moving toward the east

\East\, n. [OE. est, east, AS. e['a]st; akin to D. oost, oosten, OHG. ?stan, G. ost, osten, Icel. austr, Sw. ost, Dan. ["o]st, ["o]sten, Lith. auszra dawn, L. aurora (for ausosa), Gr. ?, ?, ?, Skr. ushas; cf. Skr. ush to burn, L. urere. ????, ???. Cf. {Aurora}, {Easter}, {Sterling}.] 1. The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to rise at the equinox, or the corresponding point on the earth; that one of the four cardinal points of the compass which is in a direction at right angles to that of north and south, and which is toward the right hand of one who faces the north; the point directly opposite to the west. The east began kindle. --E. Everett. 2. The eastern parts of the earth; the regions or countries which lie east of Europe; the orient. In this indefinite sense, the word is applied to Asia Minor, Syria, Chaldea, Persia, India, China, etc.; as, the riches of the East; the diamonds and pearls of the East; the kings of the East. The gorgeous East, with richest hand, Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold. --Milton. 3. (U. S. Hist. and Geog.) Formerly, the part of the United States east of the Alleghany Mountains, esp. the Eastern, or New England, States; now, commonly, the whole region east of the Mississippi River, esp. that which is north of Maryland and the Ohio River; -- usually with the definite article; as, the commerce of the East is not independent of the agriculture of the West. {East by north}, {East by south}, according to the notation of the mariner's compass, that point which lies 111/4[deg] to the north or south, respectively, of the point due east. {East-northeast}, {East-southeast}, that which lies 221/2[deg] to the north or south of east, or half way between east and northeast or southeast, respectively. See Illust. of {Compass}.
\East\, a. Toward the rising sun; or toward the point where the sun rises when in the equinoctial; as, the east gate; the east border; the east side; the east wind is a wind that blows from the east.
\East\, adv. Eastward.
\East\, v. i. To move toward the east; to veer from the north or south toward the east; to orientate.
\East\, a. (Eccl.) Designating, or situated in, that part of a church which contains the choir or chancel; as, the east front of a cathedral.

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