east

noun

1. 1

   The direction of the earth's rotation, specifically 90°.

   Portsmouth is to the east of Southampton.

   We live in the east of the country.

   The sun rises in the east.

   The levanter wind is in/from the east.

2. 2

   The eastern region or area; the inhabitants thereof.

   We, in the west, agreed amongst ourselves that a penitentiary should be erected with our half of the money arising as above stated; and the east agreed to improve the country in their vicinity with the other half.

3. 3

   In a church: the direction of the altar and chancel; the direction faced by the priest when celebrating ad orientem.

   However, in Mies' chapel, liturgical east is magnetic west.

   The tapestry by Graham Sutherland that occupies the whole wall of the liturgical east and geographic north of the cathedral is recognisable to the point of visual exhaustion.

adjective

1. 1

   Situated or lying in or towards the east; eastward.

2. 2

   Blowing (as wind) from the east.

3. 3

   Of or pertaining to the east; eastern.

4. 4

   From the East; oriental.

5. 5

   Designating, or situated in, the liturgical east.

   the east front of a cathedral

   Throughout the book I refer directionally to the altar and chancel of St. Andrew's as situated at ecclesiastical east (to avoid overcomplicating matters), not geographical or magnetic southeast. Thus, the altar is located at the east end of the church, and the gallery, at the west.

   The tapestry by Graham Sutherland that occupies the whole wall of the liturgical east and geographic north of the cathedral is recognisable […] a huge image of Christ on the [liturgical] east end, filling the entire wall and to be visible through the [liturgical] West Window (Fig. 24.2).

adverb

1. 1

   Towards the east; eastwards.

Forms

plural

easts

comparative

further east, farther east

superlative

furthest east, farthest east