An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. East. The countries of Asia, especially East Asia.
   

2a) To place in a definite relation to the points of the compass or other fixed or known directions.

2b) To turn toward the east or in any specified direction.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.Fr. orient “east,” from L. orient-, oriens rising sun, east," from pr.p. of oriri “to rise,” cognate with Pers. ras-, rasidan “to arrive;” O.Pers./Av. rasa- present stem of ar- to move, go or come forward;" cf. Skt. ar- “to reach, come toward, meet with,” rccháti “reaches;”
Gk. erkhomai “to go, to reach.”

Etymology (PE): 1) Xâvar, → east.
2) su dâdan literally “to give direction, orientation;” su yâftan “to acquire direction,” from su “direction, side,” from Mid.Pers. sôk “direction, side,” + dâdan “to give,” → datum; yâftan “t find, obtain,” → find.