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study

[stuhd-ee]
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noun, plural stud·ies.
  1. application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection: long hours of study.
  2. the cultivation of a particular branch of learning, science, or art: the study of law.
  3. Often studies. a personal effort to gain knowledge: to pursue one's studies.
  4. something studied or to be studied: Balzac's study was human nature.
  5. research or a detailed examination and analysis of a subject, phenomenon, etc.: She made a study of the transistor market for her firm.
  6. a written account of such research, examination, or analysis: He published a study of Milton's poetry.
  7. a well-defined, organized branch of learning or knowledge.
  8. zealous endeavor or assiduous effort.
  9. the object of such endeavor or effort.
  10. deep thought, reverie, or a state of abstraction: He was lost in study and did not hear us come in.
  11. a room, in a house or other building, set apart for private study, reading, writing, or the like.
  12. Also called étude. Music. a composition that combines exercise in technique with a greater or lesser amount of artistic value.
  13. Literature.
    1. a literary composition executed for exercise or as an experiment in a particular method of treatment.
    2. such a composition dealing in detail with a particular subject, as a single main character.
  14. Art. something produced as an educational exercise, as a memorandum or record of observations or effects, or as a guide for a finished production: She made a quick pencil sketch of his hands as a study for the full portrait in oils.
  15. a person, as an actor, considered in terms of his or her quickness or slowness in memorizing lines: a quick study.
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verb (used without object), stud·ied, stud·y·ing.
  1. to apply oneself to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or practice.
  2. to apply oneself; endeavor.
  3. to think deeply, reflect, or consider.
  4. to take a course of study, as at a college.
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verb (used with object), stud·ied, stud·y·ing.
  1. to apply oneself to acquiring a knowledge of (a subject).
  2. to examine or investigate carefully and in detail: to study the political situation.
  3. to observe attentively; scrutinize: to study a person's face.
  4. to read carefully or intently: to study a book.
  5. to endeavor to learn or memorize, as a part in a play.
  6. to consider, as something to be achieved or devised.
  7. to think out, as the result of careful consideration or devising.
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Origin of study

1250–1300; (noun) Middle English studie < Old French estudie < Latin studium, equivalent to stud(ēre) to be busy with, devote oneself to, concentrate on + -ium -ium; (v.) Middle English studien < Old French estudier < Medieval Latin studiāre, derivative of studium
Related formsstud·i·a·ble, adjectivestud·i·er, nounnon·stud·y, noun, plural non·stud·ies.out·stud·y, verb (used with object), out·stud·ied, out·stud·y·ing.pre·stud·y, verb (used with object), pre·stud·ied, pre·stud·y·ing, noun, plural pre·stud·ies.re·stud·y, noun, plural re·stud·ies, verb, re·stud·ied, re·stud·y·ing.

Synonyms

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1. inquiry, research, reading, thought, consideration. 7. subject, field, area. 11. library, den. 21. Study, consider, reflect, weigh imply fixing the mind upon something, generally doing so with a view to some decision or action. Study implies an attempt to obtain a grasp of something by methodical or exhaustive thought: to study a problem. To consider is to fix the thought upon something and give it close attention before making a decision concerning it, or beginning an action connected with it: to consider ways and means. Reflect implies looking back quietly over past experience and giving it consideration: to reflect on similar cases in the past. Weigh implies a deliberate and judicial estimate, as by a balance: to weigh a decision.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

application, review, inquiry, debate, research, course, investigation, examination, consideration, survey, inspection, class, exercise, subject, ponder, consider, read, examine, learn, think

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British Dictionary definitions for study

study

verb studies, studying or studied
  1. to apply the mind to the learning or understanding of (a subject), esp by readingto study languages; to study all night
  2. (tr) to investigate or examine, as by observation, research, etcto study the effects of heat on metal
  3. (tr) to look at minutely; scrutinize
  4. (tr) to give much careful or critical thought to
  5. to take a course in (a subject), as at a college
  6. (tr) to try to memorizeto study a part for a play
  7. (intr) to meditate or contemplate; reflect
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noun plural studies
    1. the act or process of studying
    2. (as modifier)study group
  2. a room used for studying, reading, writing, etc
  3. (often plural) work relating to a particular disciplineenvironmental studies
  4. an investigation and analysis of a subject, situation, etca study of transport provision in rural districts
  5. a product of studying, such as a written paper or book
  6. a drawing, sculpture, etc, executed for practice or in preparation for another work
  7. a musical composition intended to develop one aspect of performing techniquea study in spiccato bowing
  8. theatre a person who memorizes a part in the manner specifieda quick study
  9. in a brown study in a reverie or daydream
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Word Origin

C13: from Old French estudie, from Latin studium zeal, inclination, from studēre to be diligent
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 study

v.

early 12c., from Old French estudier "to study" (French étude), from Medieval Latin studiare, from Latin studium "study, application," originally "eagerness," from studere "to be diligent" ("to be pressing forward"), from PIE *(s)teu- "to push, stick, knock, beat" (see steep (adj.)). The noun meaning "application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge" is recorded from c.1300. Sense of "room furnished with books" is from c.1300. Study hall is attested from 1891, originally a large common room in a college. Studious is attested from late 14c.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
study in Medicine

study

(stŭd′ē)
n.
  1. Research, detailed examination, or analysis of an organism, object, or phenomenon.
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v.
  1. To research, examine, or analyze something.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with study

study

see brown study.

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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.