Instruction, n.
Etymology: [L. instructio: cf. F. instruction.]
1. The act of instructing, teaching, or furnishing with knowledge; information.
2. That which instructs, or with which one is instructed; the intelligence or information imparted; as: (a) Precept; information; teachings. (b) Direction; order; command. "If my instructions may be your guide." Shak.
Syn. -- Education; teaching; indoctrination; information; advice; counsel. See Education.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for instruction; he lists it under education, order.
Where he writes about it:
It continues through life, whether we will or not.... 'Every person,' says Gibbon, 'has two educations, one which he receives from others, and one more important, which he gives himself.'" JOHN LUBBOCK The Use of Life ch. vii, p. 111. [MACM. '94.] Instruction, the impartation of knowledge by others (L. instruere, to build in or into) is but a part of education, often the smallest part. — from education
Teaching is the more familiar and less formal word for instruction. — from education
Knowledge and learning tell nothing of mental development apart from the capacity to acquire and remember, and nothing whatever of that moral development which is included in education in its fullest and noblest sense; learning, too, may be acquired by one's unaided industry, but any full education must be the result in great part of instruction, training, and personal association. — from education
Study is emphatically what one does for himself, and in which instruction and tuition can only point the way, encourage the student to advance, and remove obstacles; vigorous, persevering study is one of the best elements of training. — from education
Instruction implies superiority of knowledge, direction of authority on the part of the giver; a teacher gives instructions to his pupils, an employer gives directions to his workmen. — from order