英文字典中文字典51ZiDian.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Institution \In`sti*tu"tion\, n. [L. institutio: cf. F.
institution.]
[1913 Webster]
1. The act or process of instituting; as:
(a) Establishment; foundation; enactment; as, the
institution of a school.
[1913 Webster]

The institution of God's law is described as
being established by solemn injunction.
--Hooker.
(b) Instruction; education. [Obs.] --Bentley.
(c) (Eccl. Law) The act or ceremony of investing a
clergyman with the spiritual part of a benefice, by
which the care of souls is committed to his charge.
--Blackstone.
[1913 Webster]

2. That which instituted or established; as:
(a) Established order, method, or custom; enactment;
ordinance; permanent form of law or polity.
[1913 Webster]

The nature of our people,
Our city's institutions. --Shak.
(b) An established or organized society or corporation; an
establishment, especially of a public character, or
affecting a community; a foundation; as, a literary
institution; a charitable institution; also, a
building or the buildings occupied or used by such
organization; as, the Smithsonian Institution.
(c) Anything forming a characteristic and persistent
feature in social or national life or habits.
[1913 Webster]

We ordered a lunch (the most delightful of
English institutions, next to dinner) to be
ready against our return. --Hawthorne.
[1913 Webster]

3. That which institutes or instructs; a textbook; a system
of elements or rules; an institute. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]

There is another manuscript, of above three hundred
years old, . . . being an institution of physic.
--Evelyn.
[1913 Webster]