lesson
/ˈlɛsən/
noun
Origin
Latin
lectio — a reading, collection
Overview
Meaning Now
- A period of learning or instruction.
- A portion of scripture or other text read aloud during a church service.
- A useful experience or incident from which knowledge or principles are learned.
Literal older meaning
that which is read
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
lesson
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word descends from the Latin 'lectio', referring to the act of reading aloud from scripture. Over time, it broadened from the specific context of church readings to include any organized period of academic instruction or experience-based wisdom.
Evolution
- Latin
lectio
“a reading”
- Old French
leçon
“a reading, instruction”
- Middle English
lesson
“a reading, teaching”
borrowed from Old French
Connections
Word parts
lesson
root
instruction or reading
Related across languages
French
leçon
lesson
Spanish
lección
lesson
Explore next
Related to lesson
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.