Main Entry: ¹stage

Pronunciation: \ˈstāj\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estage abode, story of a building, state, from Vulgar Latin *staticum, from Latin stare to stand — more at stand

Date: 14th century

1 a : one of a series of positions or stations one above the other : step b : the height of the surface of a river above an arbitrary zero point <flood stage>
2 a (1) : a raised platform (2) : the part of a theater on which the acting takes place and which often includes the wings (3) : the acting profession : the theater as an occupation or activity (4) : soundstage b : a center of attention or scene of action
3 a : a scaffold for workmen b : the small platform of a microscope on which an object is placed for examination
4 a : a place of rest formerly provided for those traveling by stagecoach : station b : the distance between two stopping places on a road c : stagecoach
5 a : a period or step in a process, activity, or development: as (1) : one of the distinguishable periods of growth and development of a plant or animal <the larval stage of an insect> (2) : a period or phase in the course of a disease; also : the degree of involvement or severity of a disease b : one passing through a (specified) stage
6 : an element or part of an electronic device (as an amplifier)
7 : one of two or more sections of a rocket that have their own fuel and engine

— stage·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

— stage·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— on the stage : in or into the acting profession