instruct definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms

coach, discipline, school, teach, train, tutor, bid, charge, direct, enjoin, order, tell

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instruct - 5 dictionary results

in⋅struct

[in-struhkt]

–verb (used with object)

1.	to furnish with knowledge, esp. by a systematic method; teach; train; educate.

2.	to furnish with orders or directions; direct; order; command: The doctor instructed me to diet.

3.	to furnish with information; inform; apprise.

4.	Law. (of a judge) to guide (a jury) by outlining the legal principles involved in the case under consideration.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L instructus ptp. of instruere to equip, train, set in order, equiv. to in- in- ² + struc- (var. s. of struere to put together) + -tus ptp. suffix

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : instruct

Spanish:

instruir,

German:

unterrichten,

Japanese:

教える

View 30 other languages »

in·struct   (ĭn-strŭkt') Pronunciation Key
v.   in·struct·ed, in·struct·ing, in·structs

v.   tr.

To provide with knowledge, especially in a methodical way. See Synonyms at teach.
To give orders to; direct.

v. intr.
To serve as an instructor.

[Middle English instructen, from Latin īnstruere, īnstrūct-, to prepare, instruct : in-, on; see in-² + struere, to build; see ster-² in Indo-European roots.]

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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instruct
verb
1.	impart skills or knowledge to; "I taught them French"; "He instructed me in building a boat" [syn: teach]
2.	give instructions or directions for some task; "She instructed the students to work on their pronunciation"
3.	make aware of; "Have the students been apprised of the tuition hike?"

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Instruct

In*struct"\, a. [L. instructus, p. p. of instruere to furnish, provide, construct, instruct; pref. in- in, on + struere. See Structure.]

1. Arranged; furnished; provided. [Obs.] "He had neither ship instruct with oars, nor men." --Chapman.

2. Instructed; taught; enlightened. [Obs.] --Milton.

Instruct

In*struct"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Instructed; p. pr. & vb. n. Instructing.]

1. To put in order; to form; to prepare. [Obs.]

They speak to the merits of a cause, after the proctor has prepared and instructed the same for a hearing. --Ayliffe.

2. To form by communication of knowledge; to inform the mind of; to impart knowledge or information to; to enlighten; to teach; to discipline.

Schoolmasters will I keep within my house, Fit to instruct her youth. --Shak.

3. To furnish with directions; to advise; to direct; to command; as, the judge instructs the jury.

She, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. --Matt. xiv. 8.

Take her in; instruct her what she has to do. --Shak.

Syn: To teach; educate; inform; train; discipline; indoctrinate; direct; enjoin.

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