oriental
[ awr-ee-en-tl, ohr‐ ]
/ ˌɔr iˈɛn tl, ˌoʊr‐ /
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adjective
(usually initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of the Orient, or East; Eastern.
of the orient, or the eastern region of the world or heavens: oriental countries;stars in the oriental sky.
(initial capital letter)Zoogeography. belonging to a geographical division comprising southern Asia and the Malay Archipelago as far as and including the Philippines, Borneo, and Java.
Jewelry.
- (usually initial capital letter) designating various gems that are varieties of corundum: Oriental aquamarine; Oriental ruby.
- fine or precious; orient: oriental agate; oriental garnet.
- designating certain natural saltwater pearls found especially in Asia.
noun
(usually initial capital letter)Older Use: Usually Disparaging and Offensive. a native or inhabitant of the Orient, or East.
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Origin of oriental
usage note for oriental
See Asian.
OTHER WORDS FROM oriental
Words nearby oriental
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for oriental
British Dictionary definitions for oriental (1 of 2)
British Dictionary definitions for oriental (2 of 2)
Oriental
/ (ˌɔːrɪˈɛntəl) /
adjective
(sometimes not capital) of or relating to the Orient
of or denoting a zoogeographical region consisting of southeastern Asia from India to Borneo, Java, and the Philippines
noun
a breed of slender muscular cat with large ears, long legs, and a long tail
(sometimes not capital) an inhabitant, esp a native, of the Orient
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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