the act or process of orientating; determination of the points of the compass, or the east point, in taking bearings.-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.-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.-fig.: a return to first principles; an orderly arrangement.