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doctrine
6 dictionary results for: Doctrine
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
doc·trine       [dok-trin] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government: Catholic doctrines; the Monroe Doctrine.
2.something that is taught; teachings collectively: religious doctrine.
3.a body or system of teachings relating to a particular subject: the doctrine of the Catholic Church.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < AF < L doctrīna teaching, equiv. to doct(o)r doctor + -īna -ine2]

—Synonyms 1. tenet, dogma, theory, precept, belief.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
doc·trine       (dŏk'trĭn)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. A principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief, as by a religious, political, scientific, or philosophic group; dogma.
  2. A rule or principle of law, especially when established by precedent.
  3. A statement of official government policy, especially in foreign affairs and military strategy.
  4. Archaic Something taught; a teaching.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin doctrīna, from doctor, teacher; see doctor.]

Synonyms: These nouns denote a principle taught, advanced, or accepted, as by a group of philosophers: the legal doctrine of due process; church dogma; experimentation, one of the tenets of the physical sciences.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
doctrine 
c.1380, from O.Fr. doctrine (12c.), from L. doctrina "teaching, body of teachings, learning," from doctor "teacher" (see doctor). The Monroe Doctrine in U.S. history was first used 1848, in reference to principles of policy contained in the message of President Monroe to Congress on Dec. 2, 1823. Doctrinaire "one who tries to apply some doctrine without regard for practicality" was borrowed from Fr. 1820; in France, originally of those who tried to reconcile liberty with royal authority after 1815; the broader sense in Eng. is attested from 1831.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
doctrine

noun
a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: doc·trine
Pronunciation: 'däk-tr&n
Function: noun
: a principle established through judicial decisions —compare LAW, PRECEDENT —doc·tri·nal /-tr&-n&l/ adjective

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Doctrine

Doc"trine\, n. [F. doctrine, L. doctrina, fr. doctor. See Doctor.]

1. Teaching; instruction.

He taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken. -- Mark iv. 2.

2. That which is taught; what is held, put forth as true, and supported by a teacher, a school, or a sect; a principle or position, or the body of principles, in any branch of knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith; as, the doctrine of atoms; the doctrine of chances. "The doctrine of gravitation." --I. Watts.

Articles of faith and doctrine. -- Hooker.

The Monroe doctrine (Politics), a policy enunciated by President Monroe (Message, Dec. 2, 1823), the essential feature of which is that the United States will regard as an unfriendly act any attempt on the part of European powers to extend their systems on this continent, or any interference to oppress, or in any manner control the destiny of, governments whose independence had been acknowledged by the United States.

Syn: Precept; tenet; principle; maxim; dogma.

Usage: -- Doctrine, Precept. Doctrine denotes whatever is recommended as a speculative truth to the belief of others. Precept is a rule down to be obeyed. Doctrine supposes a teacher; precept supposes a superior, with a right to command. The doctrines of the Bible; the precepts of our holy religion.

Unpracticed he to fawn or seek for power By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour. -- Goldsmith.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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