instruct Hear it!

instruct Definition

in·struct (in strukt′)

transitive verb

  1. to communicate knowledge to; teach; educate
  2. to give facts or information to on a particular matter; inform or guide the judge instructs the jury
  3. to order or direct to instruct a sentry to shoot

Etymology: ME instructen < L instructus, pp. of instruere, to pile upon, put in order, erect < in-, in, upon + struere, to pile up, arrange, build: see strew

instruct Synonyms

instruct

v.

  1. To teach

    educate, give lessons, guide; see teach 1.

  2. To order

    tell, direct, bid; see command 1.

  3. To inform

    reveal, disclose, apprise; see notify 1, tell 1. See syn. study at command, teach.

instruct Usage Examples

Object

  • solicitor: The official receiver should always instruct solicitors to act on his behalf in the sale of a lease.
  • counsel: On 7 January 2002 junior counsel then instructed on behalf of Miss Brennan orally advised her solicitor at the time against appealing the decision.
  • barrister: Case Example 4 A member instructed barristers to act for his client at a forthcoming public inquiry.
  • bailiff: On the following day the CSAC referred the case to their HQ for them to instruct bailiffs.
  • valuer: He had appreciated that a valuation of contents would be required and had instructed a valuer promptly.
  • employe: For example you cannot instruct employees to smile at a customer.

Preposition: on

  • behalf: Thomas was a solicitor instructed on behalf of Hobson plc.

Subject

  • solicitor: If you wish to go further you will need to be instructed by a solicitor or undertake the training of public access.
  • Ms: The Respondent was represented by Mr Martin Chamberlain of Counsel, instructed by Ms Nicola Griffiths of the Treasury Solicitor's Office.

Modifying Another Word

  • otherwise: All your guns will be listed unless you instruct otherwise.
  • jointly: The jointly instructed psychologist had not received a transcript of the judge's findings prior to preparing her report.
  • specifically: They were specifically instructed not to jump to any conclusions.

Infinitive complement

  • proceed: They will be instructed to proceed to the start at 30 second intervals.
  • advise: A firm of architects has been instructed to advise on the work needed.
  • withdraw: The Director of the IT Service should be instructed to withdraw without delay access permissions to the University's computer systems.
  • carry: If land has not been registered, solicitors will need to be instructed to carry out the conveyance.
  • prepare: The church was yet to be built and in December 1927 the architect Louis de Soissons was instructed to prepare plans.
  • act: This means that we have been instructed to act on behalf of the landlord ( at no extra cost to you!

Preposition: by

  • Ms: The Respondent was represented by Mr Martin Chamberlain of Counsel, instructed by Ms Nicola Griffiths of the Treasury Solicitor's Office.
  • solicitor: If you wish to go further you will need to be instructed by a solicitor or undertake the training of public access.
instruct Quotes

Why does one never hear of government funding for the preservation and encouragement of comic strips, girlie magazines and TV soap operas? Because these genres still hold the audience they were created to amuse and instruct.

—Updike,John Hoyer

  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

—Bible (Old Testament)