3the civil government of a country:services provided by the state [in combination]:state-owned companies [mass noun]:a minister engaged in matters of state [as modifier]:state education
(the States) the legislative body in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney.
4 [mass noun] pomp and ceremony associated with monarchy or high levels of government:he was buried in state
[as modifier] involving the ceremony associated with a head of state:the Queen paid a state visit to Malaysia
5a specified impression taken from an etched or engraved plate at a particular stage:an oblong plate, dry point, first state of eight
a particular printed version of the first edition of a book, distinguished from others by prepublication changes:there are four states of the first edition
verb
1 [reporting verb] express something definitely or clearly in speech or writing: [with clause]:the report stated that more than 51 per cent of voters failed to participate [with direct speech]:‘Money hasn’t changed me,’ she stated firmly [with object]:people will be invited to state their views
[with object] chiefly Law specify the facts of (a case) for consideration:judges must give both sides an equal opportunity to state their case
2 [with object] Music present or introduce (a theme or melody) in a composition:a bold theme is stated at the beginning, driving the entire ten-minute allegro
Phrases
state of affairs (or things)
a situation or set of circumstances:the survey revealed a sorry state of affairs in schools
state of the art
the most recent stage in the development of a product, incorporating the newest ideas and features: [as modifier]:a new state-of-the-art hospital
state of emergency
a situation of national danger or disaster in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures in order to regain control:the government has declared a state of emergency
state of grace
Theology a condition of being free from sin:people are essentially good and born in a state of grace
state of life
(in religious contexts) a person’s occupation, calling, or status:the faith of all men in whatever state of life
state of play
British
the score at a particular time in a cricket or football match.
the current situation in an ongoing process:I assume you know the state of play in the administrative assistants' dispute?
state of war
a situation when war has been declared or is in progress:General Noriega’s forces were in a state of war with the US
Derivatives
statable
adjective
Origin:
Middle English (as a noun): partly a shortening of estate, partly from Latin status 'manner of standing, condition' (see status). The current verb senses date from the mid 17th century
