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stand definition

stand (stand)

intransitive verb stood, standing stand′·ing

1. to be or remain in a generally upright position, supported on the feet (or foot)
2. to be or remain in an upright position, supported on its base, bottom, pedestal, etc.: said of physical objects
3. to grow upright or erect: said of plants
to rise to an upright position, as from a sitting, lying, or crouching position
1. to take, move into, or be in a (specified) upright position: stand straight!
2. to take, maintain, or be in a (specified) position, attitude, or course, as of support, antagonism, responsibility, sponsorship, etc.: to stand opposed to an act
to have a (specified) height when standing: he stands six feet
to point: said of a dog
1. to be placed; be situated
2. to remain where situated, built, etc.
to gather and remain: said of a liquid: sweat stood on his brow
1. to remain unchanged, intact, effective, or valid: the law still stands
2. to be or remain in a printed or written form
to be in a (specified) condition, relation, or circumstance: used with a phrase, infinitive, or adverb: they stood in awe, he stands to lose ten dollars
to be of a (specified) rank, degree, or the like: to stand first in one's class
to maintain one's opinion, viewpoint, adherence, etc.; remain resolute or firm
to make resistance, as to hostile action
1. to come to a stop; halt
2. to be or remain stationary
to show the (specified) relative position of those involved: the score stands at 28 to 20
☆ to be available for breeding: said of a stallion
Chiefly Brit. to be a candidate, as for an office; run
Naut. to take or hold a course: a ship standing out of the harbor
Printing to remain set: said of type or printed matter

Origin: ME standen < OE standan; akin to MDu standen, Goth standan < IE base *stā-, to stand, be placed > L stare, to stand, Gr histanai, to set, cause to stand

transitive verb

to make stand; set or place upright
to go on enduring; put up with; bear; tolerate: to stand pain
to remain uninjured or unaffected by; withstand: stood the trip quite well
to be subjected to; undergo: to stand trial
to do the duty of: to stand watch
Informal
1. to bear the cost of (a dinner, etc.) as when treating
2. to treat (a person) to food, drink, etc.
Mil. to stand in formation at (reveille, retreat, etc.)

noun

the act or position of standing (in various senses); esp., a stopping; halt or stop; specif.,
1. a stopping to counterattack, resist, etc., as in a retreat
2. ☆ a halt made by a touring theatrical company to give a performance; also, the place stopped at
the place where a person stands or is supposed to stand; position; station: to take one's stand at the rear
a view, opinion, or position, as on an issue: to make one's stand clear
a structure for a person or persons to stand or sit on, or to stand at; specif.,
1. a raised platform, as for a band or for spectators along a parade route
2. a set of steplike tiers of benches, as for the spectators at a ballgame
3. the place where a witness testifies in a courtroom
4. a lectern, pulpit, reading desk, etc.
☆ a place of business; specif.,
1. a booth, stall, etc. where goods are sold
2. a parking space along the side of a street, reserved as for taxicabs
3. a business site or location
a rack, small table, etc. for holding something: a music stand
☆ a growth of trees or plants
Now Dial. a group, set, etc.

Origin: OE stand < standan, to stand

Related Forms:

stander stand′er noun

stand (stănd)

verb stood stood (sto͝od), standing stand·ing, stands

verb, intransitive

a. To rise to an upright position on the feet.
b. To assume or maintain an upright position as specified: stand straight; stand to one side.
a. To maintain an upright position on the feet.
b. To maintain an upright or vertical position on a base or support: The urn stands on a pedestal.
c. To be placed or situated: The building stands at the corner.
a. To remain stable, upright, or intact: The old school still stands.
b. To remain valid, effective, or unaltered: The agreement stands.
To be or show a specified figure or amount: The balance stands at $500.
To measure a specified height when in an upright position: stands six feet tall.
To take up or maintain a specified position, altitude, or course: He stands on his earlier offer. We will stand firm.
To be in a position of possible gain or loss: She stands to make a fortune.
a. To be in a specified state or condition: I stand corrected. We stand in awe of the view.
b. To exist in a particular form: Send the message as it now stands.
To be at a specified level on or as if on a scale: stands third in her class; stands high in reputation.
a. To come to a stop; remain motionless.
b. To remain stationary or inactive: The car stood in the garage all winter.
To remain without flowing or being disturbed; be or become stagnant.
Nautical To take or hold a particular course or direction: a ship standing to windward.
To be available as a sire. Used of horses.
Chiefly British To be a candidate for public office.

verb, transitive

To cause to stand; place upright.
To engage in or encounter: stand battle.
a. To resist successfully; withstand: stand the test of time; will not stand close examination.
b. To put up with patiently or resolutely; bear: can't stand the heat. See Synonyms at bear¹.
To submit to or undergo: stand trial.
To tolerate and benefit from: I could stand a good night's sleep.
To perform the duty of: stand guard.
Informal To treat (someone) or pay the cost of (food or drink): She stood him to a drink. We'll stand dinner.

noun

The act of standing.
A ceasing of work or activity; a standstill or halt.
A stop on a performance tour.
The place or station where a person stands.
A booth, stall, or counter for the display of goods for sale.
A parking space reserved for taxis.
A desperate or decisive effort at defense or resistance, as in a battle: made their stand at the river.
A position or opinion one is prepared to uphold: must take a stand on environmental issues.
stands The bleachers at a playing field or stadium.
Law A witness stand.
A small rack, prop, or table for holding any of various articles: a music stand; a bedside stand.
A group or growth of tall plants or trees: a stand of pine.

Phrasal Verbs: stand by To be ready or available to act. To wait for something, such as a broadcast, to resume. To remain uninvolved; refrain from acting: stood by and let him get away. To remain loyal to; aid or support: stands by her friends. To keep or maintain: stood by her decision. stand down Law To leave a witness stand. To withdraw, as from a political contest. To end a state of readiness or alert. To go off duty. stand for To represent; symbolize. To advocate or support: stands for freedom of the press. To put up with; tolerate: We will not stand for impertinent behavior. stand in To act as a stand-in. stand off To stay at a distance; remain apart or aloof. To put off; evade. Nautical To maintain a course away from shore. stand on To be based on; depend on: The success of the project stands on management's support of it. To insist on observance of: stand on ceremony; stand on one's rights. stand out To protrude; project. To be conspicuous, distinctive, or prominent. To refuse compliance or maintain opposition; hold out: stand out against a verdict. Nautical To maintain a course away from shore. stand over To watch or supervise closely. To hold over; postpone. stand to To take up positions for action. stand up To remain valid, sound, or durable: His claim will not stand up in court. Our old car has stood up well over time. Informal To fail to keep a date with.

Origin: Middle English standen, from Old English standan; see stā- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

stander standˈer noun

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