- static
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I. adjective
Etymology: New Latin staticus, from Greek statikos causing to stand, skilled in weighing, from histanai to cause to stand, weigh — more at stand
Date: 1638
1. exerting force by reason of weight alone without motion
2. of or relating to bodies at rest or forces in equilibrium
3. showing little change <a static population> 4. a. characterized by a lack of movement, animation, or progression b. producing an effect of repose or quiescence <a static design> 5. a. standing or fixed in one place ; stationary b. of water stored in a tank but not under pressure 6. of, relating to, or producing stationary charges of electricity ; electrostatic 7. of, relating to, or caused by radio static • statical adjective • statically adverb II. noun Etymology: static electricity Date: 1913 1. noise produced in a radio or television receiver by atmospheric or various natural or man-made electrical disturbances; also the electrical disturbances producing this noise 2. heated opposition or criticism • staticky adjective
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.