I. ˈstīl, esp before pause or consonant -īəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, alteration (probably influenced by Greek stylos pillar) of stile, from Latin stilus stake, stylus, manner of writing, style; akin to Avestan staēra mountain peak, Old High German stehhan to prick — more at stick
1. : an instrument used by the ancients in writing on waxed tablets and made with one of its ends sharp and the other blunt, smooth, and somewhat expanded for the purpose of making erasures by smoothing the wax
2.
a. : mode of expressing thought in oral or written language: as
(1) : a manner of expression characteristic of an individual, a period, a school, or other identifiable group (as a nation)
a classic style
a flowery 18th century prose style
(2) : the aspects of literary composition that are concerned with mode and form of expression as distinguished from content or message
his style is so graceful that one regrets he has nothing to say
(3) : the manner, tone, or orientation assumed in discourse
spoke in the style of a master to slaves
took a very lofty style with us
b. : the custom followed (as in a business, editorial, or printing office) in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typographic arrangement and display
3.
a. : a proper, generally recognized, or legally acceptable appellation : an official, distinctive, or honorific designation : mode of address : name , title
the king did not have the style , Majesty, until the 16th century
were in partnership under the style , Acme Trading Company
b. : an attributive or qualifying designation
gave himself the style of scholar
4.
a. : manner or method of acting or performing especially as recognized or sanctioned by some standard (as of law or custom)
gave them a hearty welcome in the old-country style
often : one that is distinctive or characteristic of or attributed to some group or period
singing in the Italian style
Renaissance style of painting
oppressed by the formal style of the court
b. : a way or manner of living or behaving that is deemed elegant or in accord with fashion : a fashionable luxurious mode of life : fashionable elegance
lived in style
a woman of style
c.
(1) : the peculiarly distinctive technique or methods characteristic of or identified with a particular individual usually in the performance of a particular activity
easy to recognize him by his style on the course
(2) : an individual's typical way of life : his attitudes and their expression in a self-consistent manner as developing from childhood
d. : movement and manner in dancing as evolved in relation to a dance type, sex, tribe, region, or period
5. : something felt to resemble the ancient style (as in appearance or use): as
a.
(1) : the gnomon of a dial whose shadow marks the hour on the dial
(2) : a pen or other writing instrument especially as a symbol of authorship
(3) : a blunt pointed surgical instrument
(4) : a pointed tool used in engraving : graver
(5) : etching needle
(6) : a phonograph needle : stylus
b. : the usually elongated portion of a pistil that connects the ovary with the stigma of a plant : a filiform prolongation of a plant ovary bearing a stigma at its apex — see flower illustration
c.
(1) : a slender bristle or other elongated process on an animal (as on the anal region or at the tip of the antenna of an insect or crustacean)
(2) : a uniradiate sponge spicule that is blunt at one end
(3) : a central calcareous process in the gastropores or sometimes also in the dactylopores of a coral of the order Stylasterina
(4) : any of several small cusps or elevations of the cingulum of a molar tooth — see hypostyle , mesostyle , metastyle , parastyle
(5) : embolus 3
6.
a.
(1) : a quality that gives distinctive excellence to something (as artistic expression) and that consists especially in the appropriateness and choiceness of the elements (as subject, medium, form) combined and the individualization imparted by the method of combining
(2) : distinction of structural quality (as line, color, design, decoration) in dry goods (as for apparel, fabrics, interior decoration)
(3) : the overall appearance and carriage of an animal especially as an expression of personality and competence in action
b.
(1) : a particular type of architecture based on distinctive qualities of design or decoration
churches in the Gothic style
(2) : a combination of shape and ornamentation distinguishing an extensive group of artifacts (as ceramics)
c. : a general category based on somewhat similar characteristics (as of outward appearance)
a modern style of furniture
a Roman style of profile
Synonyms: see fashion
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to designate (as a person) by an identifying term : term , name , call
an old lawyer styled judge by his friends
does not hesitate to style himself scientist
2. : to impart a particular style to
carefully styled prose
as
a. : to cause to conform to a customary style (as for publication)
took hours to style the manuscript
b. : to design and make in accord with the prevailing mode ; especially : to impart a new or distinctive design or quality to
dresses styled for summer sports
c. : to impart a fashionable quality to (as by advertising) in order to stimulate sales : make stylish
a campaign to style the new model
intransitive verb
: to impart a style or stylish quality to something ; especially : to make an article fashionable by advertising
III.
archaic
variant of stile