"East" is a word in LAW AND LEGAL, ENGLISH

In the customs laws of the United States, the term “countries east of the Cape of Good Hope” means countries with which, formerly, the United States ordinarily car-ried on commercial intercourse by passing around that cape. Powers v. Comley, 101 U. S. 790, 25 L. Ed. 805

The eastern parts of the earth; the regions or countries
which lie east of Europe; the orient. In this indefinite sense, the
word is applied to Asia Minor, Syria, Chaldea, Persia, India, China,
etc.; as, the riches of the East; the diamonds and pearls of the East;
the kings of the East.

To move toward the east; to veer from the north or south
toward the east; to orientate.

The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to rise at the
equinox, or the corresponding point on the earth; that one of the four
cardinal points of the compass which is in a direction at right angles
to that of north and south, and which is toward the right hand of one
who faces the north; the point directly opposite to the west.

Eastward.

Toward the rising sun; or toward the point where the sun
rises when in the equinoctial; as, the east gate; the east border; the
east side; the east wind is a wind that blows from the east.

Formerly, the part of the United States east of the Alleghany
Mountains, esp. the Eastern, or New England, States; now, commonly, the
whole region east of the Mississippi River, esp. that which is north of
Maryland and the Ohio River; -- usually with the definite article; as,
the commerce of the East is not independent of the agriculture of the
West.