oriental
UK: ˌɔːriˈentəl | US: ˌɔːriˈentəl
adj. relating to the East, especially Asia
adj. (dated) relating to the regions east of the Mediterranean
n. (archaic) a person from the East, especially Asia
The word "oriental" derives from the Latin "oriens" (rising, east), referring to the direction of the rising sun. The suffix "-al" transforms it into an adjective. Historically, it broadly denoted cultures and regions east of Europe, particularly Asia. Over time, its usage has declined due to associations with outdated colonial perspectives, with "Asian" now preferred in most contexts.
The museum has a collection of oriental art from China and Japan.
She specializes in oriental languages like Arabic and Persian.
(Dated) The term "oriental" was once commonly used in Western literature.
The oriental rug added vibrant colors to the room.
Scholars debate the representation of oriental cultures in historical texts.