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in·struct

(ĭn-strŭkt)

v. in·struct·ed, in·struct·ing, in·structs

v.tr.

1. To give orders to; direct: instructed the children to hang up their coats.

2. To provide with knowledge; to train or inform: instructed the students in algebra. See Synonyms at teach.

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 the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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