instruct
[ in-struhkt ]
verb (used with object)
Origin of instruct
1First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin instructus, past participle of instruere “to equip, train, set in order,” equivalent to in- “in” + struc- (variant stem of struere “to put together”) + -tus past participle suffix; see in-2
synonym study For instruct
1. See teach.
Other words for instruct
Other words from instruct
- in·struct·ed·ly, adverb
- in·struct·ed·ness, noun
- in·struct·i·ble, adjective
- mis·in·struct, verb (used with object)
- o·ver·in·struct, verb (used with object)
- pre·in·struct, verb (used with object)
- qua·si-in·struct·ed, adjective
- re·in·struct, verb (used with object)
- self-in·struct·ed, adjective
- self-in·struct·ing, adjective
- un·in·struct·i·ble, adjective
- un·in·struct·ing, adjective
- well-in·struct·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for instruct
instruct
/ (ɪnˈstrʌkt) /
verb(tr)
to direct to do something; order
to teach (someone) how to do (something)
to furnish with information; apprise
law, mainly British
(esp of a client to his solicitor or a solicitor to a barrister) to give relevant facts or information to
to authorize (a barrister or solicitor) to conduct a case on a person's behalf: to instruct counsel
Origin of instruct
1C15: from Latin instruere to construct, set in order, equip, teach, from struere to build
Derived forms of instruct
- instructible, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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