Learning, n.
Etymology: [AS. leornung.]
1. The acquisition of knowledge or skill; as, the learning of languages; the learning of telegraphy.
2. The knowledge or skill received by instruction or study; acquired knowledge or ideas in any branch of science or literature; erudition; literature; science; as, he is a man of great learning. Book learning. See under Book.
Syn. -- Literature; erudition; lore; scholarship; science; letters. See Literature.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for learning; he lists it under education, knowledge, wisdom.
Where he writes about it:
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
Lore is used only in poetic or elevated style, for accumulated knowledge, as of a people or age, or in a more limited sense for learning or erudition. — from knowledge
Learning is much higher than information, being preeminently wide and systematic knowledge, the result of long, assiduous study; erudition is recondite learning secured only by extraordinary industry, opportunity, and ability. — from knowledge
Enlightenment, erudition, information, knowledge, learning, and skill are acquired, as by study or practise. — from wisdom
Synonyms
educationknowledgewisdomacquaintanceapprehensionattainmentbreedingcognitioncognizancecomprehensioncultivationculturedepthdevelopmentdiscernmentdisciplinediscretionenlightenmenteruditionexperienceforesightinformationinsightinstructionintelligenceintuitionjudgmentjudiciousnesslightlorenurtureperceptionprescienceprofundityprudencereadingreasonreasonablenessrecognitionsagacityscholarshipschoolingsciencesenseskillstudyteachingtrainingtuitionunderstanding