study

pronunciation

How to pronounce study in British English: UK [ˈstʌdi] word uk audio image

How to pronounce study in American English: US [ˈstʌdi] word us audio image

Noun:

a detailed critical inspection
applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading)
a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
a state of deep mental absorption
a room used for reading and writing and studying
a branch of knowledge
preliminary drawing for later elaboration
attentive consideration and meditation
someone who memorizes quickly and easily (as the lines for a part in a play)
a composition intended to develop one aspect of the performer's technique
Verb:

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
be a student; follow a course of study; be enrolled at an institute of learning
give careful consideration to
be a student of a certain subject
learn by reading books
think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes

Word Origin

study: study: [13] Study comes via Old French estudie from Latin studium ‘eagerness, intense application’, hence ‘application to learning’ (English studio [19] comes from the same ultimate source, only via Italian). Studium in turn was derived from the verb studēre ‘be eager, study’ (source of English student [15]). This probably went back ultimately to the Indo- European base *steud-, *teud- ‘hit’, which also produced Latin tundere ‘hit’ (source of English contusion and obtuse) and German stossen ‘shove, hit’ – the underlying notion of study thus being the ‘application of extreme effort’.=> contusion, obtuse, student, studio

study (v.): early 12c., "to strive toward, devote oneself to, cultivate" (translating Latin occupatur), from Old French estudiier "to study, apply oneself, show zeal for; examine" (13c., Modern French étudier), from Medieval Latin studiare, from Latin studium "study, application," originally "eagerness," from studere "to be diligent" ("to be pressing forward"), from PIE *(s)teu- (1) "to push, stick, knock, beat" (see steep (adj.)). Martha swanc and becarcade to geforðigene þan Hælende and his þeowen þa lichamlice behefðen. Seo studdede emb þa uterlice þing. [Homily for the Feast of the Virgin Mary, c.1125] From c. 1300 as "apply oneself to the acquisition of learning, pursue a formal course of study," also "read a book or writings intently or meditatively." From mid-14c. as "reflect, muse, think, ponder." Meaning "regard attentively" is from 1660s. Related: Studied; studying.

study (n.): c. 1300, "application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, intensive reading and contemplation of a book, writings, etc.," from Old French estudie "care, attention, skill, thought; study, school" (Modern French étude), from Latin studium "study, application" (see study (v.)). Also from c. 1300 as "a state of deep thought or contemplation; a state of mental perplexity, doubt, anxiety; state of amazement or wonder." From mid-14c. as "careful examination, scrutiny." Sense of "room furnished with books" is from late 14c. Meaning "a subject of study" is from late 15c. Study hall is attested from 1891, originally a large common room in a college.