n. & v.
--n. (pl. -ies)
1. the devotion of time and attention to acquiring information or knowledge, esp. from books.
2 (in pl.) the pursuit of academic knowledge (continued their studies abroad).
3 a room used for reading, writing, etc.
4 a piece of work, esp. a drawing, done for practice or as an experiment (a study of a head).
5 the portrayal in literature or another art form of an aspect of behaviour or character etc.
6 a musical composition designed to develop a player's skill.
7 a thing worth observing closely (your face was a study).
8 a thing that is or deserves to be investigated.
9 Theatr. a the act of memorizing a role. b a person who memorizes a role.
10 archaic a thing to be secured by pains or attention.
--v. (-ies, -ied)
1. tr. make a study of; investigate or examine (a subject) (study law).
2 intr. (often foll. by for) apply oneself to study.
3 tr. scrutinize or earnestly contemplate (a visible object) (studied their faces).
4 tr. try to learn (the words of one's role etc.).
5 tr. take pains to achieve (a result) or pay regard to (a subject or principle etc.).
6 tr. (as studied adj.) deliberate, intentional, affected (with studied politeness).
7 tr. read (a book) attentively.
8 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) archaic a be on the watch. b try constantly to manage.
Phrases and idioms:
in a brown study in a reverie; absorbed in one's thoughts. make a study of investigate carefully. study group a group of people meeting from time to time to study a particular subject or topic.
Derivatives:
studiedly adv. studiedness n.
Etymology: ME f. OF estudie f. L studium zeal, study