document

[Fr., from Lat. documentum=a proof, from doceo to teach; Sp., Port., & Italian documento.] *1. A proof, an evidence, a moral le on, an example. "They were forthwith stoned to death, as a document unto others."-Raleigh: Hist. of the World , bk. v., ch. ii., § 3. *2. That which is taught; a precept, a dogma, a doctrine. "Learners should not be too much crowded with a heap or multitude of documents or ideas at one time." -Watts : Improvement of the Mind. 3. A written or printed paper, evidence, or proof; any paper containing information relating to any matter. *doc-u-ment, v . t . [DOCUMENT, 8.] 1. To furnish or supply with documents, proofs, or papers nece ary to establish any fact or point. 2. To teach, to instruct, to school, to educate. "I am finely documented by my own daughter."-Dryden: Don Sebastian , v. 1. 3. To prove, to bring sufficient evidence of. "This city was so often destroyed, her monuments and charters lost, that her original cannot well be docu mented."-Blue Blanket , p. 4. *doc-u-ment-al, a. [Eng. document ; -al . ] 1. Pertaining to or of the nature of teaching or instruction "Documental sentences." - More: Mystery of Godline (1660), p. 265. 2. Consisting of, or of the nature of, documents; documentary.