n. & v.
n. 1 a an amount of teaching given at one time. b the time assigned to this. 2 (in pl.; foll. by in) systematic instruction (gives lessons in dancing; took lessons in French). 3 a thing learnt or to be learnt by a pupil. 4 a an occurrence, example, rebuke, or punishment, that serves or should serve to warn or encourage (let that be a lesson to you). b a thing inculcated by experience or study. 5 a passage from the Bible read aloud during a church service, esp. either of two readings at morning and evening prayer in the Church of England.
v.tr. archaic 1 instruct. 2 admonish, rebuke. learn one's lesson profit from or bear in mind a particular (usu. unpleasant) experience. teach a person a lesson punish a person, esp. as a deterrent.
[ ME f. OF leçon f. L lectio -onis: see LECTION ]