state

state [stāt]

n.

[ME < OFr & L: OFr estat < L status, state, position, standing < pp. of stare, to STAND]

1. a set of circumstances or attributes characterizing a person or thing at a given time; way or form of being; condition [a state of poverty]

2. a particular mental or emotional condition [a state of bliss]

3. condition as regards physical structure, constitution, internal form, stage or phase of existence, etc. [liquid state]

4.

a) condition or position in life; social status, rank, or degree

b) high rank or position

c) the style of living characteristic of people having high rank and wealth; rich, imposing, ceremonious display [drove up in state]

5. [sometimes S-]

a) the power or authority represented by a body of people politically organized under one government, esp. an independent government, within a territory or territories having definite boundaries

b) such a body of people; body politic

☆ 6. [often S-] any of the territorial and political units that together constitute a federal government, as in the U.S.

☆ 7. the territory of a STATE (senses 5b & 6)

8. the political organization constituting the basis of civil government [church and state]

9. the sphere of highest governmental authority and administration [matters of state]

10. [S-] foreign policy: see SECRETARY OF STATE (sense 1), STATE DEPARTMENT

adj.

1. of, for, or characteristic of occasions of great ceremony; formal; ceremonial

2. [sometimes S-] of or controlled, maintained, etc. by the government or a state

vt.

stated, stating

1. to fix or establish by specifying [at the stated hour]

2.

a) to set forth in words, esp. in a specific, definite, or formal way [to state one's objectives]

b) to express or present in a nonverbal way [to state a musical theme in the first three measures]

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in a state or into a state

Informal in (or into) a condition of agitation or excitement

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lie in state

to be displayed formally to the public before burial

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the States

the United States

statable

adj.

SYN.- STATE and CONDITION both refer to the set of circumstances surrounding or characterizing a person or thing at a given time [what is his mental state, or condition?], but CONDITION more strongly implies some relationship to causes or circumstances which may be temporary [his condition will not permit him to travel ]; SITUATION implies a significant interrelationship of the circumstances, and connection between these and the person involved [to be in a difficult situation]; STATUS, basically a legal term, refers to one's state as determined by such arbitrary factors as age, sex, training, mentality, service, etc. [his status as a veteran exempts him ]