instruction English · revision 7490

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1412–20|origins=la instruo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪnˈstɹʌkʃən/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English instruccioun, [[bor|fro|instruccion]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Latin [[m|la|instructio|t=an array, arrangement]], in Late Latin teaching,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from the past participle stem of [[m|la|instruo|alt=instruere|t=to arrange, prepare; inform, teach]] (see [[instruct]]),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from in-, on, and struere, to pile, build, from PIE *streu-, an extended form of [[ine-pro|*sterh₃-|alt=*stere-|t=to spread]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Teaching, knowledge imparted: 1412–20 in the OED, about 1400 in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An authoritative direction telling someone what to do is from the early 15th century (1433).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Directions given to a solicitor or counsel are from before 1734.^(OED 1989) The Century Dictionary distinguished it from ''teaching'' as emphasizing the orderly arrangement of what is taught.^(Etymonline) In computing, a coded command in a program is from 1947.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1412–20 – teaching.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1433 – a direction, an order.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1734 – instructions to counsel.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1947 – in computing.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act or [[profession]] of [[teach|alt=teaching]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Knowledge that is taught; a [[lesson]].^(AHD)

+ # ''(computing)'' A coded command telling a computer to carry out an operation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A direction or [[order]] to be obeyed.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(instructions)'' Detailed directions on how to do something.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[instructional]]

+ * [[macroinstruction]]

+ * [[microinstruction]]

+ * [[misinstruction]]

+ * [[overinstruction]]

+ * [[preinstruction]]

+ * [[reinstruction]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[instruct]]

+ * [[instructor]]

+ * [[structure]]

+ * [[construct]]

+ * [[destroy]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}