orientation

1. The recognition of one's temporal, spatial, and personal relationships and environment. 2. The relative position of an atom with respect to one to which it is connected, i.e., the direction of the bond connecting them. [Fr. orienter, to set toward the East, therefore in a definite position]

- sexual o. concept that includes the permutations among body morphology, gender identity, gender role, and sexual preference.

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ori·en·ta·tion .ōr-ē-ən-'tā-shən, .ȯr-, -.en- n

1 a) the act or process of orienting or of being oriented

b) the state of being oriented

2) a usu. general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest see SEXUAL ORIENTATION

3) change of position by organs, organelles, or organisms in response to external stimulus

4) awareness of the existing situation with reference to time, place, and identity of persons <psychological \orientation>

ori·en·ta·tion·al -shnəl, -shən-əl adj

ori·en·ta·tion·al·ly -ē adv

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n.

(in psychology) awareness of oneself in time, space, and place. Orientation may be disturbed in such conditions as organic brain disease, toxic drug states, and concussion.

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ori·en·ta·tion (or″e-ən-taґshən) 1. awareness of one's environment, with reference to place, time, and people. 2. the relative positions of atoms or groups in chemical compounds.