ESTABLISH

DICTIONARY.COM, 2001

http://www.dictionary.com/

es·tab·lish (-stblsh)

tr.v. es·tab·lished, es·tab·lish·ing, es·tab·lish·es

1.

a. To set up; found. See Synonyms at found1.

b. To bring about; generate: establish goodwill in the neighborhood.

2.

a. To place or settle in a secure position or condition; install: They established me in my own business.

b. To make firm or secure.

3. To cause to be recognized and accepted: a discovery that established his reputation.

4. To introduce and put (a law, for example) into force.

5. To prove the validity or truth of: The defense attorneys established the innocence of the accused.

6. To make a state institution of (a church).

YOUR DICTIONARY.COM, 2001

http://www.yourdictionary.com/

Main Entry: es.tab.lish

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

4 a : to bring into existence : FOUND b : BRING ABOUT, EFFECT

5 a : to put on a firm basis : SET UP b : to put into a favorable position c : to gain full recognition or acceptance of

6 : to make (a church) a national or state institution

7 : to put beyond doubt : PROVE

- es.tab.lish.able /-sh&-b&l/ adjective

- es.tab.lish.er /-sh&r/ noun