state

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English stat, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French estat, from Latin status, from stare to stand — more at stand Date: 13th century 1. a. mode or condition of being <

a state of readiness

> b. (1) condition of mind or temperament <

in a highly nervous state

> (2) a condition of abnormal tension or excitement 2. a. a condition or stage in the physical being of something <

insects in the larval state

> <

the gaseous state of water

> b. any of various conditions characterized by definite quantities (as of energy, angular momentum, or magnetic moment) in which an atomic system may exist 3. a. social position; especially high rank b. (1) elaborate or luxurious style of living (2) formal dignity ; pomp — usually used with in 4. a. a body of persons constituting a special class in a society ; estate 3 b. plural the members or representatives of the governing classes assembled in a legislative body c. obsolete a person of high rank (as a noble) 5. a. a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory; especially one that is sovereign b. the political organization of such a body of people c. a government or politically organized society having a particular character <

a police state

> <

the welfare state

> 6. the operations or concerns of the government of a country 7. a. one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government <

the fifty states

> b. plural, capitalized The United States of America 8. the territory of a state II. transitive verb (stated; stating) Date: 1579 1. to set by regulation or authority 2. to express the particulars of especially in words ; report; broadly to express in words • statable or stateable adjective