I. ˈstī(-ə)l noun
Etymology: Middle English stile, style, from Latin stilus spike, stem, stylus, style of writing; perhaps akin to Latin in stigare to goad — more at stick
Date: 14th century
1. : designation , title
2.
a. : a distinctive manner of expression (as in writing or speech)
writes with more attention to style than to content
the flowery style of 18th century prose
b. : a distinctive manner or custom of behaving or conducting oneself
the formal style of the court
his style is abrasive
also : a particular mode of living
in high style
c. : a particular manner or technique by which something is done, created, or performed
a unique style of horseback riding
the classical style of dance
3.
a. : stylus
b. : gnomon 1b
c. : the filiform usually elongated part of the pistil bearing a stigma at its apex — see flower illustration
d. : a slender elongated process (as a bristle) on an animal
4. : a distinctive quality, form, or type of something
a new dress style
the Greek style of architecture
5.
a. : the state of being popular : fashion
clothes that are always in style
b. : fashionable elegance
c. : beauty, grace, or ease of manner or technique
an awkward moment she handled with style
6. : a convention with respect to spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and typographic arrangement and display followed in writing or printing
Synonyms: see fashion
• style·less ˈstī(-ə)l-ləs adjective
• style·less·ness noun
II. transitive verb
( styled ; styl·ing )
Date: circa 1580
1. : to call or designate by an identifying term : name
2.
a. : to give a particular style to
b. : to design, make, or arrange in accord with the prevailing mode
• styl·er noun