I. ˈstāj noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estage abode, story of a building, state, from Vulgar Latin * staticum, from Latin stare to stand — more at stand
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : one of a series of positions or stations one above the other : step
b. : the height of the surface of a river above an arbitrary zero point
flood stage
2.
a.
(1) : a raised platform
(2) : the part of a theater on which the acting takes place and which often includes the wings
(3) : the acting profession : the theater as an occupation or activity
(4) : soundstage
b. : a center of attention or scene of action
3.
a. : a scaffold for workmen
b. : the small platform of a microscope on which an object is placed for examination
4.
a. : a place of rest formerly provided for those traveling by stagecoach : station
b. : the distance between two stopping places on a road
c. : stagecoach
5.
a. : a period or step in a progress, activity, or development: as
(1) : one of the distinguishable periods of growth and development of a plant or animal
the larval stage of an insect
(2) : a period or phase in the course of a disease ; also : the degree of involvement or severity of a disease
b. : one passing through a (specified) stage
6. : an element or part of an electronic device (as an amplifier)
7. : one of two or more sections of a rocket that have their own fuel and engine
• stage·ful -ˌfu̇l noun
• stage·like -ˌlīk adjective
•
- on the stage
II. transitive verb
( staged ; stag·ing )
Date: 1879
1. : to produce (as a play) on a stage
2. : to produce or cause to happen for public view or public effect
stage a track meet
stage a hunger strike
3. : to determine the phase or severity of (a disease) based on a classification of established symptomatic criteria ; also : to evaluate (a patient) to determine the phase, severity, or progression of a disease
• stage·able ˈstā-jə-bəl adjective
III. adjective
Date: 1824
: intended to represent a type or stereotype
a stage Irishman
a stage French accent