oriental

comparative more oriental · superlative most oriental

1. Alternative letter-case form of Oriental.

   Synonyms: eastern

plural orientals

1. Alternative letter-case form of Oriental.

comparative more Oriental · superlative most Oriental · alternative oriental

1. Of a pearl or other precious stone: having a superior lustre.First known use 14th c.
2. astrologyPertaining to the eastern part of the sky; happening before sunrise.First known use 14th c.
3. obsoleteHappening in the eastern part of a given place or location.First known use 15th–19th c.
4. datedoffensivePertaining 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.First known use 15th c.
5. Designating various types of aromatic tobacco grown in Turkey and the Balkans.First known use 19th c.

plural Orientals · alternative oriental

1. A precious stone, especially an orient pearl.First known use 14th c.
2. datedoffensiveA member or descendant of the peoples and cultures of the Orient.First known use 15th c.

   He looked at her face. He ran his index finger down the bridge of her nose. “Exotic. The last one was an Oriental, too.” “Orientals are rugs and furniture,” Anna said. “Not people.”

   2022, Gabrielle Zevin, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, Vintage (2023), page 200

3. A lily cultivar of a widely varied group, with strong scent.
4. archaicA person from the eastern region of a place.First known use 15th–19th c.

   1848, National anthem of Uruguay Orientals, the Fatherland or the grave, Liberty or with glory we die!