1. the direction to the right of a person facing north; direction in which sunrise occurs: it is properly the point on the horizon at which the center of the sun rises at the equinox 2. the point on a compass at 90°, directly opposite west 3. a region or district in or toward this direction
Origin: ME est < OE east, akin to Ger osten, ON austr < Gmc base *aust-, dawn < IE base *awes-, to shine, dawn > L aurora, dawn, aurum, gold
adjective
1. in, of, to, toward, or facing the east 2. from the east: an east wind 3. designating the eastern part of a continent, country, etc.: East Africa 4. in, of, or toward the altar of a church
