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sty

noun (1)
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\ ˈstī How to pronounce sty (audio) \
plural sties also styes

Definition of sty

 (Entry 1 of 3)

: pigpen

sty

verb
stied or styed; stying

Definition of sty (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

: to lodge or keep in a sty

intransitive verb

: to live in a sty

sty

noun (2)
\ ˈstī How to pronounce sty (audio) \
variants: or stye
plural sties or styes

Definition of sty (Entry 3 of 3)

: an inflamed swelling of a sebaceous gland at the margin of an eyelid

First Known Use of sty

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1617, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for sty

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English stig pen; pigpen; akin to Old Norse svīnsti pigpen

Noun (2)

short for obsolete English styan, from Middle English styanye eye with a sty, from Old English stīgend sty, from stīgan to go up, rise — more at stair

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Time Traveler for sty

The first known use of sty was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for sty

sty

noun
\ ˈstī How to pronounce sty (audio) \
plural sties

Kids Definition of sty

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: pigpen

sty

noun
variants: or stye \ ˈstī \
plural sties or styes

Kids Definition of sty (Entry 2 of 2)

: a painful red swelling on the edge of an eyelid

sty

noun
variants: or stye \ ˈstī How to pronounce stye (audio) \
plural sties or styes

Medical Definition of sty

: an inflamed swelling of a sebaceous gland at the margin of an eyelid

— called also hordeolum

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More from Merriam-Webster on sty

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sty

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with sty

Spanish Central: Translation of sty

Nglish: Translation of sty for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sty

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