instruct
UK[ɪnˈstrʌkt]US[ɪnˈstrʌkt]
v
to teach someone a subject or skill
v
to officially tell someone what to do
Morpheme Breakdown
in
struct
in
in, into
struct
build
Etymology
the word "instruct" originates from the latin verb instruere, meaning "to build in, to equip, to arrange, to teach." this verb is a compound of the prefix in- ("in, into") and the root struere ("to pile up, to build"). the semantic evolution from the literal act of building or arranging materials to the abstract concept of building up knowledge or arranging information in someone's mind is clear and logical. entering english via old french enstruire, the term retained this core idea of imparting knowledge or giving orders as a form of mental construction, a process of building understanding within a person.
Analysis
Structure: in (in, into) + struct (build)
in- (latin prefix, meaning "in, into, on"), struct (latin root, from struere, meaning "to build, to pile up").
Examples
she was instructed in the art of classical painting by a master.
the judge instructed the jury to disregard the witness's last statement.
the manual instructs users on how to assemble the furniture safely.