O′ri‐en‐ta″tion (?), n. [Cf. F. orientation.]
1. The act or process of orientating; determination of the points of the compass, or the east point, in taking bearings.
2. The tendency of a revolving body, when suspended in a certain way, to bring the axis of rotation into parallelism with the earth's axis.
3. An aspect or fronting to the east; especially (Arch.), the placing of a church so that the chancel, containing the altar toward which the congregation fronts in worship, will be on the east end.
4. Fig.: A return to first principles; an orderly arrangement.
The task of orientation undertaken in this chapter. L. F. Ward.