teach
/tiːtʃ/
verb
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*taikijan — to show, demonstrate
Overview
Meaning Now
- To impart knowledge or instruct someone as to how to do something.
- To cause someone to learn or understand something by example or experience.
Literal older meaning
to show, point out, or demonstrate
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → Modern English
Earliest form
tǣcan
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The verb is historically related to the word 'token' and 'teach', as both derive from the PIE root meaning 'to show' or 'to point out'. In early Germanic culture, teaching was fundamentally synonymous with showing or demonstrating rather than abstract lecturing.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*deyk-
“to show, point out”
- Proto-Germanic
*taikijan
“to show, point out”
- Old English
tǣcan
“to show, instruct, teach”
- Middle English
techen
“to instruct, guide”
Connections
Word parts
teach
root
to instruct
Related across languages
German
zeigen
to show
Old Norse
tēa
to show
Related words
Explore next
Related to teach
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.