Orient

/ˈɔːriˌɛnt/ (verb), /ˈɔːriənt/ (noun, less common) verb

Definition

To orient something is to position it in a particular direction, or to help someone get used to a new situation or surroundings.

Etymology

From Latin “oriens” meaning “rising, east,” originally referring to the direction of the rising sun. It came to mean aligning or finding your direction by the east, then more broadly getting your bearings.

Kelly Says

Originally, to ‘orient’ was literally to line things up with the East, where the sun rises. Even now, when we ‘orient’ new students or employees, we’re metaphorically turning them toward the light so they know where they are.

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