Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Lecture

Lecture (-tur; 135) , noun

[French lecture, Late Latin lectura, from Latin legere, lectum, to read. See Legend.]

1.
The act of reading; as, the lecture of Holy Scripture. [Obsolete]
2.
A discourse on any subject; especially, a formal or methodical discourse, intended for instruction; sometimes, a familiar discourse, in contrast with a sermon.
3.
A reprimand or formal reproof from one having authority.
4.
(Eng. Universities) A rehearsal of a lesson.

Lecture (-turd) , transitive verb

1.
To read or deliver a lecture to.
2.
To reprove formally and with authority.

Lecture , intransitive verb

To deliver a lecture or lectures.