Teach, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Taught; p. pr. & vb. n. Teaching.]
Etymology: [OE. techen, imp. taughte, tahte, AS. t, imp. t, to show, teach, akin to tacn token. See Token.]
1. To impart the knowledge of; to give intelligence concerning; to impart, as knowledge before unknown, or rules for practice; to inculcate as true or important; to exhibit impressively; as, to teach arithmetic, dancing, music, or the like; to teach morals. If some men teach wicked things, it must be that others should practice them. South.
2. To direct, as an instructor; to manage, as a preceptor; to guide the studies of; to instruct; to inform; to conduct through a course of studies; as, to teach a child or a class. "He taught his disciples." Mark ix. 31. The village master taught his little school. Goldsmith.
3. To accustom; to guide; to show; to admonish. I shall myself to herbs teach you. Chaucer. They have taught their tongue to speak lies. Jer. ix. 5.
Note: This verb is often used with two objects, one of the person, the other of the thing; as, he taught me Latin grammar. In the passive construction, either of these objects may be retained in the objective case, while the other becomes the subject; as, I was taught Latin grammar by him; Latin grammar was taught me by him.
1 more senses
Syn. -- To instruct; inform; inculcate; tell; guide; counsel; admonish. See the Note under Learn.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Teach, v. i.
To give instruction; to follow the business, or to perform the duties, of a preceptor. And gladly would he learn, and gladly teach. Chaucer. The priests thereof teach for hire. Micah iii. 11.
Shades of meaning
To teach is simply to communicate knowledge; to instruct (originally, to build in or into, put in order) is to impart knowledge with special method and completeness; instruct has also an authoritative sense nearly equivalent to command. To educate is to draw out or develop harmoniously the mental powers, and, in the fullest sense, the moral powers as well. To train is to direct to a certain result powers already existing. Train is used in preference to educate when the reference is to the inferior animals or to the physical powers of man; as, to train a horse; to train the hand or eye. To discipline is to bring into habitual and complete subjection to authority; discipline is a severe word, and is often used as a euphemism for punish; to be thoroughly effective in war, soldiers must be disciplined as well as trained. To nurture is to furnish the care and sustenance necessary for physical, mental, and moral growth; nurture is a more tender and homelike word than educate. Compare education.