transitive verb

1. to make stable; make firm; settle to establish a habit
2. to order, ordain, or enact (a law, statute, etc.) permanently
3. to set up (a government, nation, business, etc.); found; institute
4. to cause to be or happen; bring about efforts to establish a friendship
5. to settle in an office or position, or set up as in business or a profession
6. to make a state institution of (a church)
7. to set up (a precedent, theory, reputation, etc.) permanently; cause to be accepted or recognized
8. to prove; demonstrate to establish one's cause at law
9. Card Games to win control of (a suit) so that one is sure of taking all the remaining tricks in it

Etymology: ME establissen < extended stem of OFr establir < L stabilire < stabilis, stable