Oak has been used as a Quinine substitute in the treatment of fevers. Tannins provide many of the healing properties of oak. Tannins bind with proteins in tissues, making a barrier resistant to bacterial invasion. Tannins strengthen tissues and blood vessels.
The opposite term Occident derives from the Latin word occidens, meaning west (lit. setting < occido fall/set). This term meant the west (where the sun sets) but has fallen into disuse in English, in favor of Western world.
Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: 1  West, Occident(noun) the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America. 2  western hemisphere, occident, New World(noun) the hemisphere that includes North America and South America.