Learn (l&etilde;rn), v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Learned (l&etilde;rnd), or
Learnt (l&etilde;rnt); p. pr. & vb. n.
Learning.] [OE. lernen, leornen, AS.
leornian; akin to OS. linōn, for
lirnōn, OHG. lirnēn, lernēn,
G. lernen, fr. the root of AS. l&?;ran to teach, OS.
lērian, OHG. lēran, 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.
&fist; 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.
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.
