/ ˈsteɪtɪv; NAmE / adjective
( linguistics ) ( of verbs ) describing a state rather than an action. Stative verbs (for example be , seem , understand , like , own ) are not usually used in the progressive tenses.
—compare dynamic
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Latin stativus , from stat- stopped, standing, from the verb stare .