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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

in·sti·tute       (ĭn'stĭ-tōōt', -tyōōt')  Pronunciation Key  tr.v.   in·sti·tut·ed, in·sti·tut·ing, in·sti·tutes To establish, organize, and set in operation. To initiate; begin. See Synonyms at found1. To establish or invest in an office or a position. n.   Something instituted, especially an authoritative rule or precedent. institutes A digest of the principles or rudiments of a particular subject, especially a legal abstract. An educational institution, especially one for the instruction of technical subjects. The building or buildings housing such an institution. An organization founded to promote a cause: a cancer research institute. An educational institution, especially one for the instruction of technical subjects. The building or buildings housing such an institution. A usually short, intensive workshop or seminar on a specific subject. [Middle English instituten, from Latin īnstituere, īnstitūt-, to establish : in-, in; see in-2 + statuere, to set up; see stā- in Indo-European roots.] in'sti·tut'er, in'sti·tu'tor n.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
institute  (v.)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

institute
noun
1.	an association organized to promote art or science or education
verb
1.	set up or lay the groundwork for; "establish a new department" [syn: establish]
2.	advance or set forth in court; "bring charges", "institute proceedings"

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: in·sti·tute
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -tut·ed; -tut·ing
1 : to establish in a particular position or office; specifically in the civil law of Louisiana : to appoint as heir —see also instituted heir at HEIR
2 : to get started : BRING <institute a lawsuit>

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: institute
Function: noun
1 : an elementary principle recognized as authoritative
2 plural : a collection of principles; especially : a legal compendium

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Institute

In"sti*tute\, p. a. [L. institutus, p. p. of instituere to place in, to institute, to instruct; pref. in- in + statuere to cause to stand, to set. See Statute.] Established; organized; founded. [Obs.]

They have but few laws. For to a people so instruct and institute, very few to suffice. --Robynson (More's Utopia).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Institute

In"sti*tute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instituted; p. pr. & vb. n. Instituting.]

1. To set up; to establish; to ordain; as, to institute laws, rules, etc.

2. To originate and establish; to found; to organize; as, to institute a court, or a society.

Whenever any from of government becomes destructive of these ends it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new government. --Jefferson (Decl. of Indep. ).

3. To nominate; to appoint. [Obs.]

We institute your Grace To be our regent in these parts of France. --Shak.

4. To begin; to commence; to set on foot; as, to institute an inquiry; to institute a suit.

And haply institute A course of learning and ingenious studies. --Shak.

5. To ground or establish in principles and rudiments; to educate; to instruct. [Obs.]

If children were early instituted, knowledge would insensibly insinuate itself. --Dr. H. More.

6. (Eccl. Law) To invest with the spiritual charge of a benefice, or the care of souls. --Blackstone.

Syn: To originate; begin; commence; establish; found; erect; organize; appoint; ordain.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Institute

In"sti*tute\, n. [L. institutum: cf. F. institut. See Institute, v. t. & a.]

1. The act of instituting; institution. [Obs.] "Water sanctified by Christ's institute." --Milton.

2. That which is instituted, established, or fixed, as a law, habit, or custom. --Glover.

3. Hence: An elementary and necessary principle; a precept, maxim, or rule, recognized as established and authoritative; usually in the plural, a collection of such principles and precepts; esp., a comprehensive summary of legal principles and decisions; as, the Institutes of Justinian; Coke's Institutes of the Laws of England. Cf. Digest, n.

They made a sort of institute and digest of anarchy. --Burke.

To make the Stoics' institutes thy own. --Dryden.

4. An institution; a society established for the promotion of learning, art, science, etc.; a college; as, the Institute of Technology; also, a building owned or occupied by such an institute; as, the Cooper Institute.

5. (Scots Law) The person to whom an estate is first given by destination or limitation. --Tomlins.

Institutes of medicine, theoretical medicine; that department of medical science which attempts to account philosophically for the various phenomena of health as well as of disease; physiology applied to the practice of medicine. --Dunglison.