Es-tăb'lish, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. ESTABLISHED (es-tăb'lisht; p. pr. & vb. n. ESTABLISHING.)] [O. Fr. establir, estaublir, estaulier, N. Fr. établir, Pr. establir, stablir, Sp. establecer, Pg. estabelecer, It. & Lat. stabilire, from Lat. stabilis, firm, steady, stable, from stare, to stand.]
Sense 1. To make stable or firm; to fix or set unalterably; to settle; to confirm.
The best established tempers can scarcely forbear being borne down. Burke.
The confidence which must precede union could be established only by consummate prudence and self-control. Bancroft.
Sense 2. To enact or decree by authority and for permanence; to decree; to enact; to ordain;—said of laws, regulations, and the like.
Sense 3. To secure the reception of; to secure; to uphold;—said of opinions or doctrines, or forms of religion.
Sense 4. To originate and secure the permanent existence of; to found; to institute;—said of a colony, a state, or other institutions.
Sense 5. To settle or fix; as any thing wavering, doubtful, or weak; to confirm.
So were the churches established in the faith. Acts xvi. 5.
Sense 6. To set up in business; to make secure against assault or harm;—used reflexively; as, he established himself in a place; the enemy established themselves in the citadel.