teach

teach [tēch]

vt.

taught, teaching [ME techen < OE tæcan < base of tacn, a sign, symbol (see TOKEN); basic sense “to show, demonstrate,” as in Ger zeigen]

1. to show or help (a person) to learn (how) to do something [to teach a child (how) to swim]

2. to give lessons to (a student, pupil, or class); guide the studies of; instruct

3. to give lessons in (a subject) to someone; help someone to develop (a skill or trait) [teaches French, taught him self-discipline]

4.

a) to provide (a person) with knowledge, insight, etc. [the accident that taught her to be careful]

b) to attempt to cause someone to understand or accept (a precept or philosophy), esp. by one's own example or preaching [her life itself teaches nonviolence]

5. to give instruction at or in (a place) [to teach school]

vi.

to give lessons or instruction; be a teacher, esp. in a school or college

teachability

n.

teachableness

teachable

adj.

teachably

adv.

SYN.- TEACH is the basic, inclusive word for the imparting of knowledge or skills and usually connotes some individual attention to the learner [he taught her how to skate ]; INSTRUCT implies systematized teaching, usually in some particular subject [she instructs in chemistry ]; EDUCATE stresses the development of latent faculties and powers by formal, systematic teaching, esp. in institutions of higher learning [he was educated in European universities ]; TRAIN implies the development of a particular faculty or skill, or instruction toward a particular occupation, as by methodical discipline, exercise, etc. [he was trained as a mechanic ]; SCHOOL¹, often equivalent to any of the preceding, sometimes specifically connotes a disciplining to endure something difficult [he had to school himself to obedience ]