study Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a detailed critical inspection
    survey.
  2. noun applying the mind to learning and understanding a subject (especially by reading)
    work.
    • mastering a second language requires a lot of work
    • no schools offer graduate study in interior design
  3. noun a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
    report; written report.
    • this accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale
  4. noun a state of deep mental absorption
    • she is in a deep study
  5. noun a room used for reading and writing and studying
    • he knocked lightly on the closed door of the study
  6. noun a branch of knowledge
    discipline; subject field; field of study; subject area; field; bailiwick; subject.
    • in what discipline is his doctorate?
    • teachers should be well trained in their subject
    • anthropology is the study of human beings
  7. noun preliminary drawing for later elaboration
    sketch.
    • he made several studies before starting to paint
  8. noun attentive consideration and meditation
    cogitation.
    • after much cogitation he rejected the offer
  9. noun someone who memorizes quickly and easily (as the lines for a part in a play)
    • he is a quick study
  10. noun a composition intended to develop one aspect of the performer's technique
    • a study in spiccato bowing
  11. verb consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
    canvas; analyse; examine; canvass; analyze.
    • analyze a sonnet by Shakespeare
    • analyze the evidence in a criminal trial
    • analyze your real motives
  12. verb be a student; follow a course of study; be enrolled at an institute of learning
  13. verb give careful consideration to
    consider.
    • consider the possibility of moving
  14. verb be a student of a certain subject
    read; take; learn.
    • She is reading for the bar exam
  15. verb learn by reading books; I must hit the books now"
    hit the books.
    • He is studying geology in his room
    • I have an exam next week
  16. verb think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes
    contemplate; meditate.
    • He is meditating in his study

WordNet

Stud"y noun
Etymology
OE. studie, L. studium, akin to studere to study; possibly akin to Gr. haste, zeal, to hasten; cf. OF. estudie, estude, F. étude. Cf. Etude, Student, Studio, Study, v. i.
Wordforms
plural Studies
Definitions
  1. A setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence, application of mind to books, arts, or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of acquiring knowledge.
    Hammond . . . spent thirteen hours of the day in study. Bp. Fell.
    Study gives strength to the mind; conversation, grace. Sir W. Temple.
  2. Mental occupation; absorbed or thoughtful attention; meditation; contemplation.
    Just men they seemed, and all their study bent To worship God aright, and know his works. Milton.
  3. Any particular branch of learning that is studied; any object of attentive consideration.
    The Holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament, are her daily study. Law.
    The proper study of mankind is man. Pope.
  4. A building or apartment devoted to study or to literary work. "His cheery little study." Hawthorne.
  5. (Fine Arts) A representation or rendering of any object or scene intended, not for exhibition as an original work of art, but for the information, instruction, or assistance of the maker; as, a study of heads or of hands for a figure picture.
  6. (Mus.) A piece for special practice. See Etude.
Stud"y intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. studien, OF. estudier, F. étudier. See Study, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Studied ; present participle & verbal noun Studying
Definitions
  1. To fix the mind closely upon a subject; to dwell upon anything in thought; to muse; to ponder. Chaucer.
    I found a moral first, and then studied for a fable. Swift.
  2. To apply the mind to books or learning. Shak.
  3. To endeavor diligently; to be zealous. 1 Thes. iv. 11.
Stud"y transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To apply the mind to; to read and examine for the purpose of learning and understanding; as, to study law or theology; to study languages.
  2. To consider attentively; to examine closely; as, to study the work of nature.
    Study thyself; what rank or what degree The wise Creator has ordained for thee. Dryden.
  3. To form or arrange by previous thought; to con over, as in committing to memory; as, to study a speech.
  4. To make an object of study; to aim at sedulously; to devote one's thoughts to; as, to study the welfare of others; to study variety in composition.
    For their heart studieth destruction. Prov. xxiv. 2.

Webster 1913