Oriental

== English == === Alternative forms === oriental === Etymology === From Middle English oriental, from Anglo-Norman oriental, Middle French oriental, from Latin orientālis (“eastern”), from oriēns (“rising (of the Sun)”), present active participle of orior (“to rise”). === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ɔːɹiˈɛntəl/, /ɒɹiˈɛntəl/ Rhymes: -ɛntəl === Adjective === Oriental (comparative more Oriental, superlative most Oriental) Of a pearl or other precious stone: having a superior lustre. [from 14th c.] (astronomy, astrology) Pertaining to the eastern part of the sky; happening before sunrise. [from 14th c.] (obsolete) Happening in the eastern part of a given place or location. [15th–19th c.] (dated, offensive) Pertaining to the regions east of the Mediterranean, beyond the Roman Empire or the early Christian world; of the Near East, the Middle East or the Far East, now especially relating to East Asia. [from 15th c.] Designating various types of aromatic tobacco grown in Turkey and the Balkans. [from 19th c.] ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== orientate orientally orientational ==== Translations ==== === Noun === Oriental (plural Orientals) A precious stone, especially an orient pearl. [from 14th c.] (dated, offensive) A member or descendant of the peoples and cultures of the Orient. [from 15th c.] A lily cultivar of a widely varied group, with strong scent. (archaic) A person from the eastern region of a place. [15th–19th c.] 1848, National anthem of Uruguay Orientals, the Fatherland or the grave, Liberty or with glory we die! ==== Usage notes ==== Use of the term Oriental to describe a person is considered dated and potentially offensive in North America. ==== Synonyms ==== See Thesaurus:Asian ==== Translations ==== === See also === austral boreal Asia Asiatic East Asia Far East Middle East Occident occidental Persia Persian rug === Anagrams === Tirolean, relation, taileron, tenorial == Dutch == === Noun === Oriental m (plural Orientals, no diminutive) an Oriental lily