East

East East ([=e]st), n. [OE. est, east, AS. e['a]st; akin to D. oost, oosten, OHG. [=o]stan, G. ost, osten, Icel. austr, Sw. ost, Dan. ["o]st, ["o]sten, Lith. auszra dawn, L. aurora (for ausosa), Gr. 'hw`s, "e`os, 'a`yws, Skr. ushas; cf. Skr. ush to burn, L. urere. [root]149, 288. Cf. {Aurora}, {Easter}, {Sterling}.] 1. The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to rise at the equinox, or the corresponding point on the earth; that one of the four cardinal points of the compass which is in a direction at right angles to that of north and south, and which is toward the right hand of one who faces the north; the point directly opposite to the west. [1913 Webster]

The east began kindle. --E. Everett. [1913 Webster]

2. The eastern parts of the earth; the regions or countries which lie east of Europe; the orient. In this indefinite sense, the word is applied to Asia Minor, Syria, Chaldea, Persia, India, China, etc.; as, the riches of the East; the diamonds and pearls of the East; the kings of the East. [1913 Webster]

The gorgeous East, with richest hand, Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. (U. S. Hist. and Geog.) Formerly, the part of the United States east of the Alleghany Mountains, esp. the Eastern, or New England, States; now, commonly, the whole region east of the Mississippi River, esp. that which is north of Maryland and the Ohio River; -- usually with the definite article; as, the commerce of the East is not independent of the agriculture of the West. [1913 Webster]

{East by north}, {East by south}, according to the notation of the mariner's compass, that point which lies 111/4[deg] to the north or south, respectively, of the point due east.

{East-northeast}, {East-southeast}, that which lies 221/2[deg] to the north or south of east, or half way between east and northeast or southeast, respectively. See Illust. of {Compass}. [1913 Webster]