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east
(ēst)
noun
- the direction to the right of a person facing north; direction in which sunrise occurs: it is properly the point on the horizon at which the center of the sun rises at the equinox
- the point on a compass at 90°, directly opposite west
- a region or district in or toward this direction
Origin: ME est < OE east, akin to Ger osten, ON austr < Gmc base *aust-, dawn < IE base *awes-, to shine, dawn > L aurora, dawn, aurum, gold
adjective
- in, of, to, toward, or facing the east
- from the east: an east wind
- designating the eastern part of a continent, country, etc.: East Africa
- in, of, or toward the altar of a church
adverb
in or toward the east; in an easterly direction
See east in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- Abbr. Ea. The cardinal point on the mariner's compass 90° clockwise from due north and directly opposite west.b. The direction of the earth's axial rotation.
- An area or region lying in the east.
- often Easta. The eastern part of the earth, especially eastern Asia.b. The eastern part of a region or country.
- often Easta. The region of the United States east of the Allegheny Mountains and north of the Mason-Dixon Line.b. The former Communist bloc of countries in Asia and especially in Eastern Europe.
- To, toward, of, facing, or in the east: the east bank of the river.
- Originating in or coming from the east: a cool east wind.
In, from, or toward the east: a river flowing east.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English est
Origin: , from Old English ēast; see aus- in Indo-European roots
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