The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word ORIENTS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
O
R
I
E
N
T
S
More clues leading to the result ORIENTS
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Determines the position of" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case determines the position of = orients.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ORIENTS mean?
ORIENTS noun- The part of the horizon where the sun first appears in the morning; the east.
- A pearl originating from the Indian region, reputed to be of great brilliance; (by extension) any pearl of particular beauty and value.
- (by extension) The brilliance or colour of a high-quality pearl.
- To build or place (something) so as to face eastward.
- (by extension) To align or place (a person or object) so that his, her, or its east side, north side, etc., is positioned toward the corresponding points of the compass; (specifically) to rotate (a map attached to a plane table) until the line of direction between any two of its points is parallel to the corresponding direction in nature.
- To direct towards or point at a particular direction.
- To determine which direction one is facing.
- To familiarize (oneself or someone) with a circumstance or situation.
- To set the focus of (something) so as to appeal or relate to a certain group.
- To change direction to face a certain way.