1. Teaching; instruction. "He taught them much things by parables, and said unto them in
his doctrine, Hearken." (Mark iv. 2)
2. That which is taught; what is held, put
forth as true, and supported by a teacher, a school, or a sect; a principle or position, or the
body of principles, in any
branch of knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith; as, the
doctrine of atoms; the
doctrine of chances. "The
doctrine of gravitation." "Articles of faith and doctrine." (Hooker) The Monroe doctrine, a
policy enunciated by President Monroe (Message, Dec. 2, 1823), the
essential feature of which is that the United States
will regard as an unfriendly
act any
attempt on the
part of European powers to
extend their systems on
this continent, or any
interference to oppress, or in any
manner control the
destiny of, governments whose
independence had been acknowledged by the United States.
Synonym: Precept, tenet, principle, maxim, dogma.
Doctrine, Precept. Doctrine denotes whatever is recommended as a
speculative truth to the
belief of others. Precept is a
rule down to be obeyed. Doctrine supposes a teacher; precept supposes a superior, with a
right to command. The doctrines of the Bible; the precepts of our
holy religion. "Unpracticed he to
fawn or
search for strength By doctrines fashioned to the
varying hour." (Goldsmith)
Origin: F. Doctrine, L. Doctrina, fr. Doctor. See Doctor.
Source: Websters Vocabulary