n. & v.
--n.
1. a quantity of something kept available for use (a store of wine; a store of wit).
2 (in pl.) a articles for a particular purpose accumulated for use (naval stores). b a supply of these or the place where they are kept.
3 a department store. b esp. US any retail outlet or shop. c (often in pl.) a shop selling basic necessities (general stores).
4 a warehouse for the temporary keeping of furniture etc.
5 a device in a computer for storing retrievable data; a memory.
--v.tr.
1. put (furniture etc.) in store.
2 (often foll. by up, away) accumulate (stores, energy, electricity, etc.) for future use.
3 stock or provide with something useful (a mind stored with facts).
4 (of a receptacle) have storage capacity for.
5 enter or retain (data) for retrieval.
Phrases and idioms:
in store
1. kept in readiness.
2 coming in the future.
3 (foll. by for) destined or intended. set (or lay or put) store by (or on) consider important or valuable.
Derivatives:
storable adj. storer n.
Etymology: ME f. obs. astore (n. & v.) f. OF estore, estorer f. L instaurare renew: cf. RESTORE