3the civil government of a country:services provided by the state [in combination]:state-owned companiesKing Fahd appointed a council to advise him on affairs of state
(the States) the legislative body in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney.
4pomp and ceremony associated with monarchy or high levels of government:he was buried in state
5 [usually with modifier] an impression taken from an etched or engraved plate at a particular stage.
a particular printed version of the first edition of a book, distinguished from others by prepublication changes.
adjective
[attributive]
1of, provided by, or concerned with the civil government of a country:the future of state educationa state secret
2used or done on ceremonial occasions; involving the ceremony associated with a head of state:a state visit to Hungary by Queen Elizabeth
verb
1 [reporting verb] express something definitely or clearly in speech or writing: [with clause]:the report stated that more than 51 percent 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.
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 the most up-to-date features.
(as adjective state-of-the-art) incorporating the newest ideas and the most up-to-date features: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
a condition of being free from sin.
state of life
(in religious contexts) a person’s occupation, calling, or status.
state of war
a situation when war has been declared or is in progress.
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
