v.
Pronunciation: i- ' sta-blish
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English establissen, from Anglo-French establiss-, stem of establir, from Latin stabilire, from stabilis stable
Date: 14th century
1 : to institute (as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement
2 obsolete : SETTLE 7
3 a : to make firm or stable b : to introduce and cause to grow and multiply < establish grass on pasturelands>
4 a : to bring into existence : FOUND < establish ed a republic> b : BRING ABOUT , EFFECT < establish ed friendly relations>
5 a : to put on a firm basis : SET UP < establish his son in business> b : to put into a favorable position c : to gain full recognition or acceptance of <the role establish ed her as a star>
6 : to make (a church) a national or state institution
7 : to put beyond doubt : PROVE < establish ed my innocence>
– es · tab · lish · able \ -sh ə -b ə l \ adjective
– es · tab · lish · er \ -sh ə r \ noun