Les"son (l&ebreve;s"s'n), n. [OE.
lessoun, F. leçon lesson, reading, fr. L.
lectio a reading, fr. legere to read, collect. See
Legend, and cf. Lection.] 1.
Anything read or recited to a teacher by a pupil or learner;
something, as a portion of a book, assigned to a pupil to be studied
or learned at one time.
2. That which is learned or taught by an
express effort; instruction derived from precept, experience,
observation, or deduction; a precept; a doctrine; as, to take or give
a lesson in drawing." A smooth and pleasing
lesson." Milton.
Emprinteth well this lesson in your
mind.
Chaucer.
3. A portion of Scripture read in divine
service for instruction; as, here endeth the first
lesson.
4. A severe lecture; reproof; rebuke;
warning.
She would give her a lesson for walking so
late.
Sir. P. Sidney.
5. (Mus.) An exercise; a composition
serving an educational purpose; a study.
Les"son, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Lessoned (-s'nd); p. pr. & vb.
n. Lessoning.] To teach; to instruct.
Shak.
To rest the weary, and to soothe the sad,
Doth lesson happier men, and shame at least the
bad.
Byron.
