ti:tʃ v.tr. (past
and past part. taught) 1 a
give systematic information to (a person) or
about (a
subject or skill). b (absol.)
practise this professionally. c
enable (a person) to do
something by
instruction and
training (taught me to
swim;
taught me how to dance). 2
advocate as a
moral etc.
principle (my parents taught me tolerance). 3 (foll. by to + infin.) a
induce (a person) by
example or
punishment to do or
not to do a
thing (that will teach
you to
sit still;
that will teach you not to laugh). b colloq.
make (a person) disinclined to do a thing (I will teach you to interfere). øteach-in 1 an
informal lecture and
discussion on a subject of
public interest. 2 a
series of
these. teach a
person a
lesson see LESSON. teach school US be a
teacher in a school. [OE tócan f. a Gmc root = 'show']