learn

[[t]lɜrn[/t]]

v. learned [[t]lɜrnd[/t]] or learnt, learn•ing

1) to acquire knowledge of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience:

to learn a new language[/ex]

2) to become informed of or acquainted with; ascertain:

to learn the truth[/ex]

3) to memorize:

He learned the poem in ten minutes[/ex]

4) to gain (a habit, mannerism, etc.) by experience, exposure to example, or the like; acquire:

She learned patience from her father[/ex]

5) cmp (of a device or machine, esp. a computer) to perform an analogue of human learning using artificial intelligence

6) sts Nonstandard. to instruct in; teach

7) to acquire knowledge or skill:

to learn rapidly[/ex]

8) to become informed (often fol. by of or about):

to learn of an accident[/ex]

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Etymology: bef. 900; ME lernen, OE leornian to learn, read, ponder, c. OSlīnōn, OHG lernēn; akin to Go laisjan to teach, and to lore I learn′a•ble, adj. learn′er, n. syn: learn, discover, ascertain, detect imply adding to one's store of knowledge or information. To learn is to come to know by chance, or by study or other application: to learn of a friend's death; to learn to ski. To discover is to find out something previously unseen or unknown; it suggests that the new information is surprising to the learner: I discovered that they were selling their house. To ascertain is to find out and verify information through inquiry or analysis: to ascertain the truth about the incident. To detect is to become aware of something obscure, secret, or concealed: to detect a flaw in reasoning.