eastern

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   lying toward or situated in the east

   the eastern end of the island

2. 2
   adj

   Of, facing, situated in, or related to the east.

   While De Anza was exploring the Bay of San Francisco, seeking a site for the presidio, the American colonists on the eastern seaboard, three thousand miles away, were celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

3. 3
   adj

   Of a region designated as the East by convention or from the perspective of the speaker or author.

   The noble steamer Atlantic, after a most favorable passage of twelve days, carried our friends safely to the desired port of Liverpool. As Natalie stood once again upon terra firma, she could hardly credit that over three thousand miles of ocean separated her from her home,—that the same waves which washed the shores of her cherished island, broke upon the shores of this Eastern world.

4. 4
   adj

   from the east

5. 5
   adj

   lying in or toward the east

6. 6
   adj

   relating to or characteristic of regions of eastern parts of the world

7. 7
   adj

   of or characteristic of eastern regions of the United States

8. 8
   adj

   Blowing from the east; easterly.

Etymology

From Middle English esturne, esterne, from Old English ēasterne (“eastern”), from Proto-Germanic *austrōnijaz (“eastern”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ews-ro- (“eastern”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ews- (“dawn, east”). Cognate with Old Saxon and Old High German ōstrōni (“eastern”), Old Norse austrœnn (“eastern”). Morphologically east + -ern.