state

n. & v.
—n.
1 the existing condition or position of a person or thing (in a bad state of repair; in a precarious state of health).
2 colloq. a an excited, anxious, or agitated mental condition (esp. in a state). b an untidy condition.
3 (usu. State) a an organized political community under one government; a commonwealth; a nation. b such a community forming part of a federal republic, esp. the United States of America.
4 (usu. State) (attrib.) a of, for, or concerned with the State (State documents). b reserved for or done on occasions of ceremony (State apartments; State visit). c involving ceremony (State opening of Parliament).
5 (usu. State) civil government (Church and State; Secretary of State).
6 pomp, rank, dignity (as befits their state).
7 (the States) the legislative body in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney.
8 Bibliog. one of two or more variant forms of a single edition of a book.
9 a an etched or engraved plate at a particular stage of its progress. b an impression taken from this.
—v.tr.
1 express, esp. fully or clearly, in speech or writing (have stated my opinion; must state full particulars).
2 fix, specify (at stated intervals).
3 Law specify the facts of (a case) for consideration.
4 Mus. play (a theme etc.) so as to make it known to the listener.
Phrases and idioms:
in state with all due ceremony. of State concerning politics or government. State capitalism a system of State control and use of capital. State Department (in the US) the department of foreign affairs. State-house US the building where the legislature of a State meets. State house NZ a private house built at the government's expense. state of the art
1 the current stage of development of a practical or technological subject.
2 (usu. state-of-the-art) (attrib.) using the latest techniques or equipment ({{}}state-of-the-art weaponry). state of grace the condition of being free from grave sin. state of life rank and occupation. state of things (or affairs or play) the circumstances; the current situation. state of war the situation when war has been declared or is in progress. State prisoner see PRISONER. State school a school managed and funded by the public authorities. State's evidence see EVIDENCE. States General hist. the legislative body in the Netherlands, and in France before 1789. State socialism a system of State control of industries and services. States' rights US the rights and powers not assumed by the United States but reserved to its individual States. State trial prosecution by the State. State university US a university managed by the public authorities of a State.
Derivatives:
statable adj. statedly adv. statehood n.
Etymology: ME: partly f. ESTATE, partly f. L STATUS