study

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stud·y / ˈstədē/ • n. (pl. stud·ies) 1. the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge on an academic subject, esp. by means of books: the study of English an application to continue full-time study. ∎  (studies) activity of this type as pursued by one person: some students may not be able to resume their studies. ∎  an academic book or article on a particular topic: a study of Jane Austen's novels. ∎  (studies) used in the title of an academic subject: a major in East Asian studies. 2. a detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation: a study of a sample of 5,000 children | the study of global problems. ∎  a portrayal in literature or another art form of an aspect of behavior or character: a study of a man devoured by awareness of his own mediocrity. ∎ archaic a thing that is or deserves to be investigated; the subject of an individual's study: I have made it my study to examine the nature and character of the Indians. ∎ archaic the object or aim of someone's endeavors: the acquisition of a fortune is the study of all. ∎  a person who learns a skill or acquires knowledge at a specified speed: I'm a quick study. 3. a room used or designed for reading, writing, or academic work. 4. a piece of work, esp. a drawing, done for practice or as an experiment. ∎  a musical composition designed to develop a player's technical skill. 5. (a study in) a thing or person that is an embodiment or good example of something: he perched on the edge of the bed, a study in confusion and misery. ∎ inf. an amusing or remarkable thing or person: Ira's face was a study as he approached the car. • v. (stud·ies, stud·ied) [tr.] 1. devote time and attention to acquiring knowledge on (an academic subject), esp. by means of books: she studied biology and botany. ∎  investigate and analyze (a subject or situation) in detail: he has been studying mink for many years. ∎  [intr.] apply oneself to study: he spent his time listening to the radio rather than studying. ∎  [intr.] acquire academic knowledge at an educational establishment: he studied at the Kensington School of Art. ∎  [intr.] (study up) learn intensively about something, esp. in preparation for a test of knowledge: a graduate student studies up for her doctoral exams. ∎  (of an actor) try to learn (the words of one's role). ∎ W. Indian give serious thought or consideration to: the people here don't make so much noise, so you will find that the government doesn't have us to study. 2. look at closely in order to observe or read: she bent her head to study the plans. 3. archaic make an effort to achieve (a result) or take into account (a person or their wishes): with no husband to study, housekeeping is mere play. PHRASES: in a brown study absorbed in one's thoughts.

study †perplexity; serious application of mind, mental effort in learning XIII; room for study, †seat of learning XIV; state of reverie (obs. exc. in brown s.). Aphetic — OF. estudie (mod. ịtude) — L. studium zeal, affection, painstaking application.
So vb. †deliberate, consider XIII; apply oneself to study XIV. Aphetic — OF. estudier (mod. étudier) — medL. studiāre (f. L. studium), for L. studēre be zealous, apply oneself, study.

study. See étude.

study •body, embody, Irrawaddy, Kirkcaldy, noddy, Passamaquoddy, shoddy, Soddy, squaddie, toddy, wadi •secondi, spondee, tondi •anybody • everybody • busybody •dogsbody • homebody •bawdy, gaudy, Geordie, Lordy •baldy, Garibaldi, Grimaldi •Maundy •cloudy, dowdy, Gaudí, howdy, rowdy, Saudi •Jodie, roadie, toady, tody •Goldie, mouldy (US moldy), oldie •broody, foodie, Judy, moody, Rudi, Trudy, Yehudi •goody, hoodie, woody •Burundi, Kirundi, Mappa Mundi •Rushdie •bloody, buddy, cruddy, cuddy, muddy, nuddy, ruddy, study •barramundi, bassi profundi, Lundy, undy •fuddy-duddy • understudy •Lombardy • nobody • somebody •organdie (US organdy) • burgundy •Arcady •chickadee, Picardy •malady • melody • Lollardy •psalmody • Normandy • threnody •hymnody • jeopardy • chiropody •parody • rhapsody • prosody •bastardy • custody •birdie, curdy, hurdy-gurdy, nerdy, sturdy, vinho verde, wordy •olde worlde