educate definition

To bring or guide the powers of, as a child; to develop and cultivate, whether physically, mentally, or morally, but more commonly limited to the mental activities or senses; to expand, strengthen, and discipline, as the mind, a faculty, etc,; to form and regulate the principles and character of; to prepare and fit for any calling or business by systematic instruction; to cultivate; to train; to instruct; as, to educate a child; to educate the eye or the taste.

Synonyms: To develop, instruct, teach, inform, enlighten, edify, bring up, train, breed, rear, discipline, indoctrinate.

Origin: L. Educatus, p. P. Of educare to bring up a child physically or mentally, to educate, fr. Educere to ed forth, bring up (a child). See Educe.

(01 Mar 1998)