instruct

(in-strukt’), v. t [ of instruere (> It. in str wire, istruire = Sp. Pg. instruire = Pr. estruyre = F. instruire), build, erect, construct, set in order, prepare, furnish, teach, instruct, ¢ in, in, + struere, join together, pile up, build: see structure. Cf. construct, destruct.| 1}. To put in order; form; prepare; guide. The Maids in comely Order next advance; They bear the Timbrel, and instruct the Dance. Prior, Solomon, iii. They speak to the merits of a cause, after the proctor has prepared and instructed the same for a hearing before the judge. Ayliffe, Parergon. 2. To impart knowledge or information to; inform; teach; specifically, to train in knowledge or skill; teach or educate methodically. Paul writeth unto Timothy, to instruct him, to teach him, to exhort, to courage him. Tyndale, Ans. to Sir T, More, etc. (Parker Soc., 1850), p. 19. Sir, if I have made A fault of ignorance, instruct my youth. Beau. and Fl., Phil aster, ii, 1. At present the most.. in str we ted intellect has neither the knowledge nor the capacity required for symbolizing in thought the totality of things. H. Spencer, Pop. Sci. Mo., XXTV. 351. 3. To direct or command; furnish with orders or directions: as, to instruct an envoy or a body of delegates. She, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. Mat. xiv. 8. 4+. To notify; apprise. I have partly instructed Sir F. Drake of the state of these countries. Wilkes, quoted in Motley’s Netherlands, IT. 103. 5. In Scots law, to adduce evidence in support of; confirm; vouch; verify: as, to instruct a claim against a bankrupt estate.=Sgyn. 2. To indoctrinate, school, drill, train. See instruction.—3, To prescribe to.