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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

East

East, n.

noun

n. [A-S. east, D. oost, oosten, O. H. Ger. ostan, N. H. Ger. & Sw. ost, osten, Dan. öst, östen, Icel. austr, whence Fr. est, Sp. este. Cf. Lith. auszra, it grows light, auszre, aurora.]

Sense 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.

Sense 2. The eastern parts of the earth; the regions or countries which lie east of Europe, or other country. In this indefinite sense, the word is applied to Asia Minor, Syria, Chaldea, Persia, India, China, &c.; as, in speaking of the riches of the East, the diamonds and pearls of the East, the kings of the East.

The gorgeous East, with richest hand, Pours on her kings barbaric pearl and gold. Milton.

East by north, east by south, that point which lies 11½° to the north or south, respectively, of the point due east; — East-north-east, east-south-east, that which lies 22½° to north or south of east, or half way between east and north-east or south-east, respectively. [See Illust. of Compass.]

Ēast, a.

adjective

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.

Ēast, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To move toward the east; to veer from the north or south toward the east; to orientate.