Etymology: Middle English stat, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French estat, from Latin status, from stare to stand — more at stand
Date: 13th century
1 a: mode or condition of being <a state of readiness>b (1): condition of mind or temperament <in a highly nervous state>(2): a condition of abnormal tension or excitement 2 a: a condition or stage in the physical being of something <insects in the larval state><the gaseous state of water>b: any of various conditions characterized by definite quantities (as of energy, angular momentum, or magnetic moment) in which an atomic system may exist 3 a: social position; especially: high rank b (1): elaborate or luxurious style of living (2): formal dignity :pomp —usually used with in 4 a: a body of persons constituting a special class in a society :estate 3 bplural: the members or representatives of the governing classes assembled in a legislative body cobsolete: a person of high rank (as a noble) 5 a: a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory; especially: one that is sovereign b: the political organization of such a body of people c: a government or politically organized society having a particular character <a police state><the welfare state> 6: the operations or concerns of the government of a country 7 a: one of the constituent units of a nation having a federal government <the fifty states>bpluralcapitalized: The United States of America 8: the territory of a state
