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learn |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Learn \Learn\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Learned}, or {Learnt} (?); p. pr & vb n. {Learning}.] [OE. lernen, leornen AS leornian akin to OS lin[=o]n, for lirn[=o]n, OHG. lirn[=e]n, lern[=e]n, G. lernen, fr the root of AS l?ran to teach, OS l[=e]rian, OHG. l[=e]ran, G. lehren Goth. laisjan also Goth lais I know leis acquainted (in comp.); all prob. from a root meaning, to go go over and hence to learn; cf AS leoran to go . Cf {Last} a mold of the foot, {lore}.] 1. To gain knowledge or information of to ascertain by inquiry, study, or investigation; to receive instruction concerning; to fix in the mind; to acquire understanding of or skill; as to learn the way to learn a lesson; to learn dancing; to learn to skate; to learn the violin; to learn the truth about something ``Learn to do well.'' --Is. i. 17. Now learn a parable of the fig tree. --Matt. xxiv. 32. 2. To communicate knowledge to to teach. [Obs.] Hast thou not learned me how To make perfumes ? --Shak. Note: Learn formerly had also the sense of teach, in accordance with the analogy of the French and other languages, and hence we find it with this sense in Shakespeare, Spenser, and other old writers. This usage has now passed away To learn is to receive instruction, and to teach is to give instruction. He who is taught learns, not he who teaches. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Learn \Learn\, v. i. To acquire knowledge or skill; to make progress in acquiring knowledge or skill; to receive information or instruction; as this child learns quickly. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me --Matt. xi 29. {To learn by heart}. See {By heart}, under {Heart}. {To learn by rote}, to memorize by repetition without exercise of the understanding. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: learn v 1: acquire or gain knowledge or skills; "She learned dancing from her sister"; "I learned Sanskrit" [syn: {larn}] 2: get to know or become aware of "I learned that she has two grown-up children"; "I see that you have been promoted" [syn: {hear}, {get word}, {get wind}, {pick up}, {find out}, {get a line}, {discover}, {see}] 3: commit to memory; learn by heart [syn: {memorize}, {con}] 4: be a student of a certain subject; "She is reading for the bar exam" [syn: {study}, {read}, {take}] 5: impart skills or knowledge to "I taught them French"; "He instructed me in building a boat"; learn" is not standard [syn: {teach}, {instruct}] 6: find out or learn with certainty; "I want to see whether she speaks French"; "See whether it works"; "Watch how he will react" [syn: {determine}, {check}, {find out}, {see}, {ascertain}, {watch}]
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