Word: study Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Inherited from Middle English studie, from Old French estudie (Modern French étude), borrowed from Latin studium (“zeal, dedication, study”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewd- (“to push, to hit”). Doublet of etude and studio. Pronunciation: /ˈstʌd.i/, [ˈstʌɾ.i], /ˈstʊd.i/, /(ɪ)ˈsʈəɖ.i/ 1. Mental effort to acquire knowledge or learning. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The study of languages is fascinating. Example: During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant;[…]. 2. The act of studying or examining; examination. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: I made a careful study of his sister. Example: Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis:[…]. The evolutionary precursor of photosynthesis is still under debate, and a new study sheds light. The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the “water-oxidizing complex”, made up of manganese atoms and a calcium atom. 3. Any particular branch of learning that is studied; any object of attentive consideration. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The Holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament, are her daily study. Example: The proper study of mankind is man. 4. A room in a house intended for reading and writing; traditionally the private room of the male head of household. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Father spends all his time in the study poring over manuscripts. Example: his cheery little study 5. An artwork made in order to practise or demonstrate a subject or technique. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: a study of heads or of hands for a figure picture 6. The human face, bearing an expression which the observer finds amusingly typical of a particular emotion or state of mind. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Geoffrey's face was a study. Example: Geoffrey's face was a study in amazement [or in bewilderment, irritation, distress etc.] 7. A piece for special practice; an etude. Labels: countable, uncountable 8. An academic publication. Labels: countable, literary, uncountable Example: That new study on noncommutative symmetries looks promising. 9. One who commits a theatrical part to memory. Labels: countable, uncountable 10. An endgame problem composed for artistic merit, where one side is to play for a win or for a draw. Labels: countable, uncountable 11. A state of mental perplexity or worried thought. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: wel said the kynge thow mayst take myn hors by force but and I myȝte preue the whether thow were better on horsbak or I / wel said the knyght seke me here whan thow wolt and here nygh this wel thow shalt fynde me / and soo passyd on his weye / thenne the kyng sat in a study and bad his men fetche his hors as faste as euer they myghte Example: When they had stood for a while without speech, gazing over the sea, Gro spake and said, “Consider how as day now dieth in yonder chambers of the west, so hath the glory departed from Witchland.” ¶ But the Red Foliot answered him not, being in a study. 12. Thought, as directed to a specific purpose; one's concern. Labels: archaic, countable, uncountable Example: My study was to avoid disturbing her. Example: Just men they seemd, and all thir study bent / To worship God aright, and know his works.