stage

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estage abode, story of a building, state, from Vulgar Latin *staticum, from Latin stare to stand — more at stand Date: 14th century 1. a. one of a series of positions or stations one above the other ; step b. the height of the surface of a river above an arbitrary zero point <

flood stage

> 2. a. (1) a raised platform (2) the part of a theater on which the acting takes place and which often includes the wings (3) the acting profession ; the theater as an occupation or activity (4) soundstage b. a center of attention or scene of action 3. a. a scaffold for workmen b. the small platform of a microscope on which an object is placed for examination 4. a. a place of rest formerly provided for those traveling by stagecoach ; station b. the distance between two stopping places on a road c. stagecoach 5. a. a period or step in a progress, activity, or development: as (1) one of the distinguishable periods of growth and development of a plant or animal <

the larval stage of an insect

> (2) a period or phase in the course of a disease; also the degree of involvement or severity of a disease b. one passing through a (specified) stage 6. an element or part of an electronic device (as an amplifier) 7. one of two or more sections of a rocket that have their own fuel and engine • stageful noun • stagelike adjective II. transitive verb (staged; staging) Date: 1879 1. to produce (as a play) on a stage 2. to produce or cause to happen for public view or public effect <

stage a track meet

> <

stage a hunger strike

> 3. to determine the phase or severity of (a disease) based on a classification of established symptomatic criteria; also to evaluate (a patient) to determine the phase, severity, or progression of a disease • stageable adjective III. adjective Date: 1824 intended to represent a type or stereotype <

a stage Irishman

> <

a stage French accent

>