1. (Of a patent specification) to instruct (a person of ordinary skill in the art how to make and use an invention). [Cases: Patents 99. C.J.S. Patents § 139.]
2. (Of a prior-art reference) to anticipate (the invention’s being examined) by discussing, describing, or analyzing the invention’s essential elements or technology. • In this sense, prior art that discourages an inventor from pursuing an invention “teaches away from” that invention. A teaching raises a statutory bar to an invention’s patentability. [Cases: Patents 65. C.J.S. Patents § 49.]
