Etymology
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orientation (n.)

1839, "arrangement (of a building, etc.) to face east or any other specified direction," noun of action from orient (v.). Meaning "process of determining the points of the compass is by 1868, hence the extended sense of "action of determining one's mental bearings," with reference to new ideas, etc. (1870). Meaning "introduction to a situation" is from 1942. Sense of "the position or arrangement (of something) relative to the points of the compass" is from 1875. Related: Orientational.

Entries linking to orientation

orient (v.)

by 1741, "to arrange (something) so as to face east," from French s'orienter "to take one's bearings," literally "to face the east" (also the source of German orientierung), from Old French orient "east," from Latin orientum (see orient (n.)). Extended meaning "place or arrange in any definite position with reference to the points of the compass" is by 1842; the figurative sense, with reference to new situations or ideas, is by 1850. Related: Oriented; orienting.

disorientation (n.)

1846, "deviation from an east-facing position;" 1882, "confusion as to direction;" see dis- + orientation. Perhaps its immediate origin in some cases is as a noun of action or state from disorientate (1704).

updated on September 25, 2019

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Dictionary entries near orientation

orient

oriental

Oriental

Orientalism

orientate

orientation

oriented

orienteering

orifice

oriflamme

origami

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