from Latin stabilire, from stabilis stable 14th century
: to institute (as a law) permanently by enactment or agreement
: to make firm or stable : to introduce and cause to grow and multiply <establish grass
on pasturelands>
4 a : to bring into existence : FOUND <established a republic> b : BRING ABOUT, EFFECT
<established 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 established her as a
star>
6 : to make (a church) a national or state institution
7 : to put beyond doubt : PROVE <established my innocence>
- es·tab·lish·able /-sh&-b&l/ adjective
- es·tab·lish·er /-sh&r/ noun
es·tab·lish·ment
Pronunciation: is-'ta-blish-m&nt
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 : something established: as a : a settled arrangement; especially : a code of laws b :
ESTABLISHED CHURCH c : a permanent civil or military organization d : a place of business
or residence with its furnishings and staff e : a public or private institution
2 : an established order of society: as a often capitalized : a group of social, economic, and
political leaders who form a rulingclass (as of a nation) b often capitalized : a controlling
group <the literary establishment>
3 a : the act of establishing b : the state of being established
Main Entry: con·form
Pronunciation: k&n-'form
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French conformer, from Latin conformare, from
com- + formare to form, from forma form
Date: 14th century
transitive senses : to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or
accord <conform furrows to the slope of the land>
intransitive senses
1 : to be similar or identical; also : to be in agreement or harmony -- used with to or with
2 a : to be obedient or compliant -- usually used with to b : to act in accordance with
prevailing standards or customs
synonym see ADAPT
- con·form·er noun
- con·form·ism /-'for-"mi-z&m/ noun
Date: 14th century
1 : an act of instituting : ESTABLISHMENT
2 a : a significant practice, relationship, or organization in a society or culture <the
institution of marriage>; also : something or someone firmly associated with a place or
thing <she has become an institution in the theater> b : an established organization or
corporation (as a college or university) especially of a public character; also : ASYLUM 4
- in·sti·tu·tion·al /-shn&l, -sh&-n&l/ adjective
Pronunciation: is-'ta-blish
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English establissen, from Middle 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 <established a republic> b : BRING ABOUT, EFFECT
<established 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 established her as a
star>
6 : to make (a church) a national or state institution
7 : to put beyond doubt : PROVE <established my innocence>
- es·tab·lish·able /-sh&-b&l/ adjective
- es·tab·lish·er /-sh&r/ noun