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Entry 7 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

East

/(ēst)/ · IPA /iːst/
01 n. 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 cardin…
  1. 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.
    “The east began kindle.” — E. Everett.
  2. 2.
    The eastern parts of the earth; the regions or countries which lie east of Europe; the orient. In this indefinite sense, the word is applied to Asia Minor, Syria, Chaldea, Persia, India, China, etc.; as, the riches of the East; the diamonds and pearls of the East; the kings of the East.
    “The gorgeous East, with richest hand, Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold.” — Milton.
  3. 3.
    Formerly, the part of the United States east of the Alleghany Mountains, esp. the Eastern, or New England, States; now, commonly, the whole region east of the Mississippi River, esp. that which is north of Maryland and the Ohio River; -- usually with the definite article; as, the commerce of the East is not independent of the agriculture of the West.(U. S. Hist. and Geog.)
Phrases & compounds
East by north — according to the notation of the mariner's compass, that point which lies 11<frac:1_4/° to the north or south, respectively, of the point due east.
East-northeast — that which lies 22Illust. of Compass.
02 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; …
  1. 1.
    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.
  2. 2.
    Designating, or situated in, that part of a church which contains the choir or chancel; as, the east front of a cathedral.(Eccl.)
03 adv. Eastward.
  1. 1.
    Eastward.
04 v. i. To move toward the east; to veer from the north or south toward the east; to orientate.
  1. 1.
    To move toward the east; to veer from the north or south toward the east; to orientate.