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store

[stawr, stohr]
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noun
  1. an establishment where merchandise is sold, usually on a retail basis.
  2. a grocery: We need bread and milk from the store.
  3. a stall, room, floor, or building housing or suitable for housing a retail business.
  4. a supply or stock of something, especially one for future use.
  5. stores, supplies of food, clothing, or other requisites, as for a household, inn, or naval or military forces.
  6. Chiefly British. a storehouse or warehouse.
  7. quantity, especially great quantity; abundance, or plenty: a rich store of grain.
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verb (used with object), stored, stor·ing.
  1. to supply or stock with something, as for future use.
  2. to accumulate or put away, for future use (usually followed by up or away).
  3. to deposit in a storehouse, warehouse, or other place for keeping.
  4. Computers. to put or retain (data) in a memory unit.
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verb (used without object), stored, stor·ing.
  1. to take in or hold supplies, goods, or articles, as for future use.
  2. to remain fresh and usable for considerable time on being stored: Flour stores well.
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adjective
  1. bought from a store; commercial: a loaf of store bread.
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Idioms
  1. in store,
    1. in readiness or reserve.
    2. about to happen; imminent: There is a great deal of trouble in store for them if they persist in their ways.
  2. set/lay store by, to have high regard for; value; esteem: She sets great store by good character.
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Origin of store

1225–75; (v.) Middle English storen, aphetic variant of astoren < Old French estorer < Latin instaurāre to set up, renew, equivalent to in- in-2 + staur- (akin to Greek staurós across and to steer1) + -āre infinitive suffix; (noun) Middle English, aphetic variant of astore < Old French estore, derivative of estorer
Related formsstor·er, nouno·ver·store, verb, o·ver·stored, o·ver·stor·ing.sub·store, nounwell-stored, adjective

Synonyms

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9. amass, save, husband; hoard, stockpile.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

stockboxmagazinedepotbankshopemporiumboutiqueoutletmarketsupermarketdelishowroomdrugstoresavehoardhidestashfreezeaccumulate

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British Dictionary definitions for stores

stores

pl n
  1. a supply or stock of something, esp essentials, for a specific purposethe ship's stores
  2. munitions slung externally on a military aircraft airframe
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store

verb
  1. (tr) to keep, set aside, or accumulate for future use
  2. (tr) to place in a warehouse, depository, etc, for safekeeping
  3. (tr) to supply, provide, or stock
  4. (intr) to be put into storage
  5. computing to enter or retain (information) in a storage device
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noun
    1. an establishment for the retail sale of goods and services
    2. (in combination)storefront
    1. a large supply or stock kept for future use
    2. (as modifier)store ship
  3. short for department store
    1. a storage place such as a warehouse or depository
    2. (in combination)storeman
  5. the state of being stored (esp in the phrase in store)
  6. a large amount or quantity
  7. computing, mainly British another name for memory (def. 7)
  8. Also called: store pig a pig that has not yet been weaned and weighs less than 40 kg
    1. an animal bought lean to be fattened up for market
    2. (as modifier)store cattle
  10. in store forthcoming or imminent
  11. lay store by, put store by or set store by to value or reckon as important
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See also stores
Derived Formsstorable, adjective

Word Origin

C13: from Old French estor, from estorer to restore, from Latin instaurāre to refresh; related to Greek stauros stake
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for stores

store

v.

mid-13c., "to supply or stock," from Old French estorer "erect, furnish, store," from Latin instaurare "restore," from in- "in" + -staurare, from a noun cognate with Greek stauros "pole, stake" (see steer (v.)). The meaning "to keep in store for future use" (1550s) probably is a back-formation from store (n.).

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store

n.

c.1300, "that with which a household, camp, etc. is stored," from store (v.). Sense of "sufficient supply (of anything)" is attested from late 15c. The meaning "place where goods are kept for sale" is first recorded 1721 in American English (British prefers shop). Stores "articles and equipment for an army" is from 1630s. In store "laid up for future use" (also of events, etc.) is recorded from late 14c. Store-bought is attested from 1952, American English; earlier store-boughten (1883).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with stores

store

see in store; mind the store; set store by; variety store.

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.