n.
- an educational talk to an audience, especially one of students in a university.
- a long serious speech, especially one given as a scolding or reprimand.
v.
- deliver an educational lecture or lectures.
- talk seriously or reprovingly to.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘reading, a text to read’): from OFr., or from med. L. lectura, from L. lect-, legere ‘read, choose’.