Learn v. t. [imp. & p. p. Learned or Learnt (lẽrnt); p. pr. & vb. n. Learning.]
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.”
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.
Note: ☞ 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·ed a. Of or pertaining to learning; possessing, or characterized by, learning, esp. scholastic learning; erudite; well-informed; as, a learned scholar, writer, or lawyer; a learned book; a learned theory.
The learnedlover lost no time. --Spenser.
Men of much reading are greatly learned, but may be little knowing. --Locke.
Words of learned length and thundering sound. --Goldsmith.
The learned, learned men; men of erudition; scholars.
-- Learn*ed*ly, adv. Learn*ed*ness, n.
Every coxcomb swears as learnedly as they. --Swift.
◄ ►
learned
adj 1: having or showing profound knowledge; "a learned jurist";
"an erudite professor" [syn: erudite]
2: highly educated; having extensive information or
understanding; "an enlightened public"; "knowing
instructors"; "a knowledgeable critic"; "a knowledgeable
audience" [syn: enlightened, knowing, knowledgeable,
lettered, well-educated, well-read]
3: established by conditioning or learning; "a conditioned
response" [syn: conditioned] [ant: unconditioned]
4: acquired by learning; "learned skills"