n. & v.
n. 1 a quantity of something kept available for use (a store of wine; a store of wit). 2 (in pl.) a articles for a particular purpose accumulated for use (naval stores). b a supply of these or the place where they are kept. 3 a = department store. b esp. US any retail outlet or shop. c (often in pl.) a shop selling basic necessities (general stores). 4 a warehouse for the temporary keeping of furniture etc. 5 a device in a computer for storing retrievable data; a memory.
v.tr. 1 put (furniture etc.) in store. 2 (often foll. by up, away) accumulate (stores, energy, electricity, etc.) for future use. 3 stock or provide with something useful (a mind stored with facts). 4 (of a receptacle) have storage capacity for. 5 enter or retain (data) for retrieval. in store 1 kept in readiness. 2 coming in the future. 3 (foll. by for) destined or intended. set (or lay or put) store by (or on) consider important or valuable. storable adj. storer n.
[ ME f. obs. astore (n. & v.) f. OF estore, estorer f. L instaurare renew: cf. RESTORE ]