I. ˈstad.]ik, -at], ]ēk adjective
also stat·i·cal ]ə̇kəl, ]ēk-\
Etymology: static from New Latin staticus, from Greek statikos causing to stand, skilled at weighing, from statos (verbal of histanai to cause to stand, set, place on a balance, weigh) + -ikos -ic; statical from New Latin staticus + English -al — more at stand
1.
a. obsolete : of, relating to, or used in weighing
static experiments
static chair
static barometer
b. : exerting force by reason of weight alone apart from effects of inertia
static load
2. : of or relating to statics : of or relating to bodies at rest or forces in equilibrium — compare dynamic
3.
a. : showing little change : stable , stagnant
the conception of a static universe
a static population
adjust to the realities of a fairly static environment — W.H.Whyte
b. : rigidly bound by traditional patterns and values : unchanging
dynamic modern society contrasted with static feudal society
4.
a. : characterized by a lack of movement, animation, or progression
creates static characters
an enormous young woman who is static on stage — Roger Dettmer
the novel is … a trifle static , constructed in episodes — J.H.Jackson
b. : producing an effect of repose or quiescence
a static design
the Romanesque style is … static — Nikolaus Pevsner
perfect fifths … sound relatively static — Virgil Thomson
c. of a verb or verb form : expressing mere existence or state as distinct from action — used especially in the grammar of American Indian and African languages; compare active 3b, neuter 1b, stative
5.
a. : standing or fixed in one place : stationary
a static installation
a static dredge
a static antiaircraft gun
b. : performed in place, on the ground, or in a stationary position
static firing of a rocket motor
static testing of a missile
c. of water : stored in a tank and not under pressure for use by pumping in case of fire
6. : of, relating to, or constituting the labyrinthine sense
7. : of, relating to, or producing stationary charges of electricity : electrostatic
static charges due to friction
a static machine
8. : of, relating to, or caused by radio static
II. noun
( -s )
1. : electrical discharges in the atmosphere (as lightning, corona, or electrical storms) : atmospherics
2. : atmospheric noise or disturbance resulting from accumulation of electric charges (as from snowflakes, household appliances, or power lines) on or near an antenna and interfering with radio reception
III. noun
1. : anything in the surrounding environment that distracts or interferes with communication
sifted out, of all the forest static , some specific squirrel sound — Chet McCord
struggles to hear her own voice through the static of authoritarian opinion — Sara Neustadtl
2. : heated opposition or criticism
he takes no static from anyone — David Wellman