n. & v.
--n.
1. a a society or organization for the promotion of science, education, etc. b a building used by an institute.
2 Law (usu. in pl.) a digest of the elements of a legal subject (Institutes of Justinian).
3 a principle of instruction.
4 US a brief course of instruction for teachers etc.
--v.tr.
1. establish; found.
2 a initiate (an inquiry etc.). b begin (proceedings) in a court.
3 (usu. foll. by to, into) appoint (a person) as a cleric in a church etc.
Etymology: ME f. L institutum design, precept, neut. past part. of instituere establish, arrange, teach (as IN-(2), statuere set up)