I. ˈstāt noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English stat, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French estat, from Latin status, from stare to stand — more at stand
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : mode or condition of being
a state of readiness
b.
(1) : condition of mind or temperament
in a highly nervous state
(2) : a condition of abnormal tension or excitement
2.
a. : a condition or stage in the physical being of something
insects in the larval state
the gaseous state of water
b. : any of various conditions characterized by definite quantities (as of energy, angular momentum, or magnetic moment) in which an atomic system may exist
3.
a. : social position ; especially : high rank
b.
(1) : elaborate or luxurious style of living
(2) : formal dignity : pomp — usually used with in
4.
a. : a body of persons constituting a special class in a society : estate 3
b. plural : the members or representatives of the governing classes assembled in a legislative body
c. obsolete : a person of high rank (as a noble)
5.
a. : a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory ; especially : one that is sovereign
b. : the political organization of such a body of people
c. : a government or politically organized society having a particular character
a police state
the welfare state
6. : the operations or concerns of the government of a country
7.
a. : one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government
the fifty state s
b. plural , capitalized : The United States of America
8. : the territory of a state
II. transitive verb
( stat·ed ; stat·ing )
Date: 1579
1. : to set by regulation or authority
2. : to express the particulars of especially in words : report ; broadly : to express in words
• stat·able or state·able ˈstā-tə-bəl adjective