̈ɪsteɪt 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. øin 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. øøstatable adj. statedly adv. statehood n. [ME:
partly f.
ESTATE, partly f. L STATUS]