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state definition

state (stāt)

noun

  1. a set of circumstances or attributes characterizing a person or thing at a given time; way or form of being; condition a state of poverty
  2. a particular mental or emotional condition a state of bliss
  3. condition as regards physical structure, constitution, internal form, stage or phase of existence, etc. liquid state
    1. condition or position in life; social status, rank, or degree
    2. high rank or position
    3. the style of living characteristic of people having high rank and wealth; rich, imposing, ceremonious display drove up in state
    1. the power or authority represented by a body of people politically organized under one government, esp. an independent government, within a territory or territories having definite boundaries
    2. such a body of people; body politic
  4. ☆ any of the territorial and political units that together constitute a federal government, as in the U.S.
  5. ☆ the territory of a state (senses & )
  6. the political organization constituting the basis of civil government church and state
  7. the sphere of highest governmental authority and administration matters of state
  8. foreign policy

Etymology: ME < OFr & L: OFr estat < L status, state, position, standing < pp. of stare, to stand

adjective

  1. of, for, or characteristic of occasions of great ceremony; formal; ceremonial
  2. of or controlled, maintained, etc. by the government or a state

transitive verb stated stat′ed, stating stat′·ing

  1. to fix or establish by specifying at the stated hour
    1. to set forth in words, esp. in a specific, definite, or formal way to state one's objectives
    2. to express or present in a nonverbal way to state a musical theme in the first three measures

Related Forms:

state Idioms

in a state

or into a state
Informal in (or into) a condition of agitation or excitement

lie in state

to be displayed formally to the public before burial

the States

the United States

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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