n. & v.
n. (pl. -ies) 1 the devotion of time and attention to acquiring information or knowledge, esp. from books. 2 (in pl.) the pursuit of academic knowledge (continued their studies abroad). 3 a room used for reading, writing, etc. 4 a piece of work, esp. a drawing, done for practice or as an experiment (a study of a head). 5 the portrayal in literature or another art form of an aspect of behaviour or character etc. 6 a musical composition designed to develop a player's skill. 7 a thing worth observing closely (your face was a study). 8 a thing that is or deserves to be investigated. 9 Theatr. a the act of memorizing a role. b a person who memorizes a role. 10 archaic a thing to be secured by pains or attention.
v. (-ies, -ied) 1 tr. make a study of; investigate or examine (a subject) (study law). 2 intr. (often foll. by for) apply oneself to study. 3 tr. scrutinize or earnestly contemplate (a visible object) (studied their faces). 4 tr. try to learn (the words of one's role etc.). 5 tr. take pains to achieve (a result) or pay regard to (a subject or principle etc.). 6 tr. (as studied adj.) deliberate, intentional, affected (with studied politeness). 7 tr. read (a book) attentively. 8 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) archaic a be on the watch. b try constantly to manage. in a brown study in a reverie; absorbed in one's thoughts. make a study of investigate carefully. study group a group of people meeting from time to time to study a particular subject or topic. studiedly adv. studiedness n.
[ ME f. OF estudie f. L studium zeal, study ]