DCHP-1 Online
East (the) 
1 n. in or to the Maritimes, especially Nova Scotia (particularly from the point of view of someone in Central Canada).
See also: down East (def. 1)
- 1890 The two Sir Johns had done Haligonians the compliment to study Sam Slick before going East. . . .
2 n. in or to central Canada or the Maritimes, usually Ontario (from the point of view of persons in the West and Northwest).
See also: down East (def. 2)
- 1884 I have been in churches where a dog would not be allowed inside under any considerations, but the idea is peculiar to the old straight-laced societies of the East.
- 1957 The east hasn't heard about it, but, then, the east doesn't know any more about the north than a pig knows Sunday.
3 n. any part of Canada (except the far north) east of the Rocky Mountains.
- 1963 Canadians from all parts of the East (including Alberta!) now retire to Vancouver. . . . In fact, nearly ten percent of Vancouverites are over 70.
- 1890 The two Sir Johns had done Haligonians the compliment to study Sam Slick before going East. . . .