orientate

English

Etymology

Back-formation from orientation.

Verb

1. (UK, New Zealand, Australia, intransitive) To face a given direction.
2. (UK, New Zealand, Australia, reflexive) To determine one's position relative to the surroundings; to orient (oneself).
   • John le Carré

     He…stood for a moment, orientating himself exactly in the light of his knowledge.

   He came out of the station and took some time to orientate himself.

3. To arrange in order; to dispose or place (a body) so as to show its relation to other bodies, or the relation of its parts among themselves.
   • E. S. Dana

     A crystal is orientated when placed in its proper position so as to exhibit its symmetry.

4. (UK, New Zealand, Australia, transitive) To position (something), to align relative to a given position.

   Try to orientate your students towards the science subjects.

5. (archaic) To move or turn toward the east; to veer from the north or south toward the east.

Usage notes

• Generally considered an error in American English. Compare developmentation.

Synonyms

• to orient

Translations

face a certain direction

• Greek: προσανατολίζω (el) (prosanatolízo)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

Anagrams

• retinoate

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Italian

Verb

orientate

1. second-person plural present indicative of orientare
2. second-person plural imperative of orientare
3. feminine plural of orientato