oriental Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a member of an Oriental race; the term is regarded as offensive by Asians (especially by Asian Americans)
    oriental person.
  2. adjective satellite denoting or characteristic of countries of Asia
    • oriental civilization

WordNet

O`ri*en"tal adjective
Etymology
L. orientalis: cf. F. oriental.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to the orient or east; eastern; concerned with the East or Orientalism; -- opposed to occidental; as, Oriental countries.
    The sun's ascendant and oriental radiations. Sir T. Browne.
O`ri*en"tal noun
Definitions
  1. A native or inhabitant of the Orient or some Eastern part of the world; an Asiatic.
  2. pl. (Eccl.) Eastern Christians of the Greek rite.

Webster 1913