study--prophetes.ai

▪ I. study, n.
    (ˈstʌdɪ)
    Forms: 3–7 studie, 4–7 studye, 4 studi, 4–6 stude, 4–5 stodie, stody, 4–6 stodye, 5 stode, 6 studdi(e, (stiddie), 6–7 studdy, (6 studee), 4– study.
    [a. OF. estudie masc. (later estuide, estude masc. and fem., mod.F. étude fem.) = Pr. estudi-s, estuzi-s, Sp. estudio, Pg. estudo, It. studio, ad. L. studium, zeal, affection, painstaking, study, related to studēre to be zealous, seek to be helpful, apply oneself, study.
    The etymology of the L. word is obscure: for conjectures see Walde.]
    † 1. In certain senses of L. studium (chiefly in translations from Latin): Affection, friendliness, devotion to another's welfare; partisan sympathy; desire, inclination; pleasure or interest felt in something. Obs.

c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iv. pr. ii (1868) 113 Al þe entencioun of þe wil of mankynde whiche þat is lad by diueise studies hastiþ to comen to blisfulnesse. 1483 Caxton Golden Leg. 275/1 He had neuer studye in newe fabrykes ne buyldynges. 1537 tr. Latimer's Serm. Convoc B vj b, Therfore brothern, gather you, the disposition and study of the children, by the disposition and studye of the fathers. 1548–9 Bk. Com. Prayer, Ordering of Priests, Laying aside the study of the world and the fleshe. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. Pref. A iiij, What time the Princes electours chose this manne Emperour,..the self same time Luther being prouoked came forthe to reason the matter, and disputed openly with Eckius at Lipsia, and than fell men to theyr study on ether side. 1561 tr. Calvin's 4 Serm. Idol. i. B ij b, To do all thing other wise then he [God] will, and cleane to be void of the studye and dutye which we owne vnto him. a 1619 M. Fotherby Atheom. i. x. §4. (1622) 106 Diuers of them, vpon vaine glory, or vpon studie of singularity,..haue outwardly professed..that There is no God. 1663 Patrick Parab. Pilgrim xxx. (1687) 369 Pride and study to be admired in the World proclaim thee to us more than all that we see beside. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 285 If to the Warlike Steed thy Studies bend, Or for the Prize in Chariots to contend.

† 2. a. An employment, occupation, pursuit. Obs.

c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iii. pr. ii. (1868) 64 Alle þe cures quod she of mortal folk whiche þat trauaylen hem in many manere studies gon certys by diuerse weies. 1484 Caxton Fable of Poge iv, The studye of the huntynge and hawkynge is a slouful cure. c 1610 Women Saints 81 The diuell enuying hire these her vertuous studies, thought to supplant her.

† b. ? Ostensible function or character. Obs.

c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 98 Prelatis also entren vnder colour & studie of cristis apostlis & lyuen & teche contrariously to hem.

† 3. a. A state of mental perplexity or anxious thought. Sometimes with indirect question: Doubt whether, etc. Obs.

c 1290 Beket 1187 in S.E. Leg. 140 In gret studie he was i-brouȝt; He rounede in is wiues ere and tolde hire al is þouȝt. 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1725) 58 Whan Edward perceyued, his herte was in studie, How þat werre bigan on him so sodanly. c 1450 Mirk's Festial 37 Þen stode þe Emperour yn full gret stude. c 1450 J. Capgrave St. Aug. xi. 16 Fluctuacion calle we her whan a man is broute fro an euel entent, and ȝet þe same man stand in study wheithir he schal to þe good wey or nowt. c 1485 Digby Myst. (1882) iii. 488 From stodyys and hevynes it woll yow relyff. a 1547 Surrey Poems, ‘Laid in my quiet bed’, Laid in my quyett bedd, in study as I weare, I saw within my troubled hed, a heape of thoughtes appeare. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. i. xxii. 57 Being therefore now in a studie what was best to be done. 1590 H. R. Defiance to Fortune H 3, Whome he found in a great studie, as one (as it might seeme) careful of that she had vndertaken. 1625 K. Long tr. Barclay's Argenis iv. viii. 262 While the Mariners stand in a study, and sticke betweene two dangers, the Gallies which were sent out had enclosed them. 1689 R. Meeke Diary 30 Nov. (1874) 18, I was at first in a study what to do, at last I promised.

b. A state of reverie or abstraction. Obs. exc. in brown study.

13.. Gaw. & Gr. Knt. 2369 Þat oþer stif mon in study stod a gret whyle. 1470–85 Malory Arthur viii. xxxi. 320 He was in suche a study he herd not what Gouernayle said. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. (Rolls) I. 554 Carthlyntus than into ane studie stude; Quhen that wes said spak nother ill no gude. 1582 Stanyhurst æneis iv. (Arb.) 119 In tears salt blubbring, in musing stiddye remayning, Shee fel on her mattresse. 16.. Heir of Lin 61 in Percy Fol. MS. I. 177 Still in a study there as he stood, he vnbethought him of [a] bill..which his father had left with him. 1829 Brockett N.C. Gloss (ed. 2), Study, astonishment, amazement.

4. a. Thought or meditation directed to the accomplishment of a purpose; studied or deliberate effort or contrivance; also, the object or aim of (a person's) solicitous endeavour, one's ‘concern’.

1390 Gower Conf. II. 230 And he, which hadde noght foryete Of that belongeth to a clerk, His studie sette upon this werk. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 218 Lusty hertys in gladnesse them delite, Set al ther study on occupacioun, In joye and myrthe. 1445 Claudian in Anglia XXVIII. 269 Bothe pore and riche labouryd righte sore encrese to gete with studye. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 145 b, Whan we be gyuen with all our study and diligence to clennesse of vertue & purite of lyfe. 1529 Supplic. to King (E.E.T.S.) 24 There is no study, striffe, nor laboure agaynst synne, but through faithe. 1545 Bale Myst. Iniq. 17 His great hot stodye is also to sett vp purgatorye againe. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. ii. vii. 37 b, All their pleasure and studie is to attire and set out themselues. 1589 Pasquil's Ret. C iv, Spyders..spynne with great studie an vnprofitable webbe, good for nothing but to catch Flyes. 1594 Chapman Shadow of Nt. E j, Thy glorious temple..That was the studie of all Asia, Two hunderd twentie somners to erect. a 1637 B. Jonson Sad Sheph. i. iv, No sought reliefe By all our studies can procure his peace. a 1700 Evelyn Diary 25 Jan. 1645, That never to be sufficiently admired gallery painted in deepe relievo, the worke of 10 years study for a trifling reward. 1764 Dodsley Leasowes in Shenstone's Wks. (1777) II. 288 Far from violating its natural beauties, Mr. Shenstone's only study was to give them their full effect. 1803 Brougham Colon. Policy I. 51 The indolence natural to their character is here thrown off; the acquisition of a fortune is the study of all. 1827 Scott Surg. Dau. xii, It was his study to sooth this ambitious and crafty female by blandishments.

† b. of one's own study: of one's own composition. Obs. rare.

1603 Stow Surv. Lond. (1908) I. 167 And that done, he was to make a sermon of his owne studie.

5. a. Application of mind to the acquisition of learning; mental labour, reading and reflection directed to learning, literary composition, invention, or the like.

c 1300 St. Edmund 217 in E.E.P. (1862) 76 He ne for-ȝat..nomore þis oreisoun, For no studie ne for no neode, ne for þoȝt of lessoun. c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 303 Of studie took he mooste cure and moost heede. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. xvi. 181 Lettrure and longe studie letteþ ful menye. c 1450 in Aungier Hist. Isleworth (1840) 278 If there be an inuentory..of the bokes of the library and how they and other bokes of study be kepte and repayred. 1540–1 Elyot Image Gov. Pref., Beeyng almost fatigate with the longe studie about the correctyng and ampliatyng of my Dictionarie. 1564 Harding Answ. Jewel's Challenge 10 b, Let them take paines to trauaile in studie, and they shall fynde by good auncient witnes..that [etc.]. 1567 Turberv. Epit. etc. 46 But I was chiefly bent to Poets famous Art, To them with all my deuor I my studie did conuert. 1581 Allen Apol. 21 b, The persons which first put them selues together in the Vniuersitie of Duay the yere 1568, yelding to Collegial forme of studie and discipline vnder one President. 1598 R. Grenewey Tacitus, Ann. v. ii. (1612) 119 Vitellius..vnder colour of vsing it in his studie, asking for a penknife, lightly prickt a veine; and ended his life. 1611 Bible Eccles. xii. 12 Of making many bookes there is no end, and much studie [marg. Or, reading] is a wearinesse of the flesh. 1663 Bayfield Treat. De Morb. Capitis 67 Sitting and holding his pen, with his eyes open, and looking upon his Book, you would have thought he had been hard at study, till he was by calling..found to want all sense and motion. a 1700 Evelyn Diary 27 Jan. 1689, He was as earnest at his play as at his study. a 1732 Gay Fables, Pack-horse & Carrier 41 Learning by study must be won, 'Twan ne'er entail'd from son to son. 1737 Pope Hor. Epist. ii. ii. 117 The Man, who, stretch'd in Isis' calm retreat, To books and study gives sev'n years complete. 1784 Cowper Tiroc. 822 See great commanders making war a trade, Great lawyers, lawyers without study made. 1810 Crabbe Borough xx. 267 Study to him was pleasure and delight. 1839 Bailey Festus, Village Feast (1889) 158 When night hath set her silver lamp on high, Then is the time for study.

personified. 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. xi. 1 Þenne hedde wit A wyf was hoten dam Studie. a 1586 Sidney Astroph. & Stella i. 10 Inuention, Nature's childe, fledde step-dame Studie's blowes.

† b. at (his) study: as a student at a university or college. Obs.

1508 Reg. Privy Seal Scot. I. 235/1 To pas to Sanct Andres grafe besyde Napillis, and thairefter to remane in Italie at his study for..vj ȝeris. 1554 Cal. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) 439 Thomas Fitz Symon..being at the universite at Oxford at stude to acquir lernyng. 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. III. 1165/1 The kings maiestie..gaue him monie yeerelie out of his coffers, to find him honorablie at studie. a 1700 Evelyn Diary July 1645, Being resolved to spend some moneths here at study, especialy physic and anatomie, of both of which there was now the most famous professors in Europe.

† c. Acquirements, learning. Obs.

c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. i. pr. iv. (1868) 16 Haþ my studie and my konnyng deserued þus [L. nostræne artes ita meruerunt]?

d. A department of study; the cultivation of a particular branch of learning or science. Often in collect. pl., a person's work as a student.

1477 Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes 16 Ypocras..was the first fynder of the art of phisike whiche he shewed and taught to his children... And commaunded that they shulde dwelle in the middel habitacion of grece in iii. Isles. And ypocras rested in the Ile of Thau. And in the ij. other Isles the studye was lost in his dayes. 1500–20 Dunbar Poems lxv. 4 To speik of science, craft, or sapience,..Off euerie study, lair, or discipline. 1538 Starkey England ii. iii. 203 The ordur of studys in vnyuersytes must..be amendyd. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. i. i. 67 Thou Iulia thou hast metamorphis'd me: Made me neglect my Studies, loose my time. 1594 R. Ashley tr. Loys le Roy 24 The learning of the Athenians was lost in Athens; only remaining in that towne the school or house of studies. 1597 Bacon Ess., Studies (Arb.) 6 Studies serue for pastimes, for ornaments and for abilities. 1677 Johnson in Ray's Corr. (1848) 128 In the meantime wishing you success in your studies, I rest, &c. 1748 H. Walpole Let. to G. Montagu 11 Aug., These Veres have thrown me into a deal of this old study. 1756–9 A. Butler Lives of Saints, S. Peter Damian, He gave a considerable time to sacred studies. 1788 A. Hughes Henry & Isabella III. 5 Is she persuaded to apply to any particular study, such as music, painting, &c. because her father is fond of it? 1841 Penny Cycl. XXI. 175/1 He began his studies at the gymnasium of Coburg in 1638. 1864 Tennyson Aylmer's F. 394 Back would he to his studies, make a name. 1874 Blackie Self-Cult. 30 So far from rushing hastily into merely professional studies, a young man should rather [etc.]. 1892 Lady F. Verney Verney Mem. I. 122 Ralph still going on with his studies at Oxford.

6. a. The action of studying (something specified or implied); mental effort in the acquisition of (some kind of learning); attentive reading of (a book, etc.), or careful examination or observation of (an object, a question, etc.). Phrase, to make a study of, to study, observe carefully.

c 1300 St. Edmund 276 in E.E.P. (1862) 78 O tyme he was in grete studie of his lessoun a nyȝt. 1340–70 Alisaunder 637 Many thinges of man myght hee showe, By studie of þe stones in what state hee were. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 232 b, The seconde parte of contemplacyon is study or redynge of holy scripture. 1584 D. Powel Lloyd's Cambria 33 Who..trauelled to Athens, and bestowed there manie yeeres in the studie of the Greeke, Hebrue and Chaldie toongs. 1668 E. Hopkins Serm., Vanity (1685) 10 God hath composed two books, by the diligent study of which we may attain to the knowledge of Himself: the Book of the creatures, and the book of the Scriptures. 1704 Norris Ideal World ii. xii. 486 The study of the sciences is a natural abstraction of the mind from the creature. 1845 Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 27 The volume of the canons which had formed the object of his study the preceding night. 1859 Ruskin Two Paths i. §18 The study, however, of the effect of art on the mind of nations is one rather for the historian than for us. 1884 Hunter & Whyte My Ducats xxv. (1885) 374 Even in the midst of his own troubles, Lynn found himself engaged in making a study of Gertrude. 1895 M. Hewlett Earthwork out of Tuscany 24 Never a chapel of them but is worth study and a stiff neck.

b. Theatr. The action of committing to memory one's part in a play. Hence, to have or be a quick, slow, etc. study, to be quick, slow, etc. in learning by heart; also transf. in general contexts.

1590 Shakes. Mids. N. i. ii. 69 Snug. Haue you the Lions part written? pray you if be, giue it me, for I am slow of studie. 1761 Foote Liar iii. Wks. 1799 I. 316, I have a short scene to give you in study. 1822 H. Mackenzie Life Home 95 Mrs. Siddons told me she never found any study (which, in the technical language of the stage, means the getting verses by heart) so easy as that of Douglas. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. xxiii, I've got a part of twelve lengths here, which I must be up in to-morrow night..; I'm a confounded quick study, that's one comfort. 1857 Reade Course of True Love, Art 128 Having what is called a very quick study, she was soon mistress of the twenty or thirty lines. 1882 Ashton Soc. Life Q. Anne xxv. II. 21 Powell..was..a careless study, with a bad memory. 1900 J. K. Jerome Three Men on Bummel i. 13 Muriel is master of six pieces already, as perhaps you know; and all the other children are quick studies. 1954 M. Ewer Heart Untouched ix. 164 She had learnt something in these last few days. She was a quick study. 1974 P. De Vries Glory of Hummingbird xiii. 197 We'll brush him up. He's a quick study. He's not a Neanderthal.

7. a. That which is studied; the object of one's study. Chiefly with possessive.

1535 Coverdale Ps. cxix. 99, I haue more vnderstondinge than all my teachers for thy testimonies are my studye. 1595 Phrases Lat. Aldi Manutii 12 Ad Ciceronem me contuli, I haue giuen my selfe to Cicero: Tully is my whole studie. 1709 Pope Ess. Crit. 124 Be Homer's works your study and delight, Read them by day, and meditate by night. 1734 ― Ess. Man ii. 2 The proper study [1733 The only Science] of mankind is Man. 1780 Mirror No. 97 ¶9 This gentleman..discovered himself to be eminently skilled in the science of law, the study, as he boasted, of his earlier years. 1859 Habits of Gd. Society xi. 306 The man who makes dining a study..must go farther in the improvements of the room than we yet have. 1878 Stedman Oxford: Soc. & Intell. Life 238 There are several other commentaries, but they will not be found profitable study.

b. Something worth studying, or that requires to be studied; an object presenting effects of colour (and the like) attractive to an artist. Hence applied to the face registering an expression of incredulity, etc. (colloq.).

1766 Fordyce Serm. Yng. Women (1767) I. ii. 53 The male heart is a study. 1779 Mirror No. 45 ¶9 A painter, who wished to express indignation, contempt, and pity, blended together, could not have found a finer study. 1817 Hazlitt Pol. Ess. (1819) 214 It is ‘a psychological curiosity’; a study of human infirmity. 1853 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xi, The various hats, in fact, were quite a Shakspearian study. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. I. v. 45 Both it and Northumberland..afforded studies of color that would have rewarded an artist. 1859 Habits of Gd. Society iv. 160 As a work of art, a well-dressed woman is a study. 1886 C. M. Yonge Chantry House II. xiv. 136 Emily's countenance was a study. 1891 E. Peacock N. Brendon I. 275 Basil was a curious study for her. 1894 Yellow Bk. I. 192 The harpist, whose nose is a study in purples. 1964 C. Chaplin My Autobiogr. x. 156 You should have seen his face watching you, it was a study! 1973 Press & Jrnl. (Aberdeen) 3 Aug. 7/3 We stopped for lunch at a little rustic inn. Specialite de la maison—chicken and chips with frozen peas on the side. Archie's face was a study.

8. a. A room in a house or other building, furnished with books, and used for private study, reading, writing, or the like. Often applied to ‘the private room or office of the master of a house, however it may be used’ (Cent. Dict.).
In Public Schools (and other large schools), the private room for study and other occupations of one or more boys.

1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 4745 Next hys chaumbre, besyde hys stody, Hys harpers chaumbre was fast þerby. c 1386 Chaucer Frankl. T. 479 But in his studie ther as hise bookes be They seten stille. c 1430 Life St. Kath. (Roxb.) 14 He..passed from chambre to chambre tyle he come yn to hir secreet study where no creature vsed to come bot hir self allone. 1463 Bury Wills (Camden) 33, I yeve and be qwethe to the seid Jone my nece a lityl grene coffre for kerchys, stondyng in my stodye. 1490 Caxton Eneydos Prol. 1, I sittyng in my studye where as laye many dyuerse paunflettis and bookys. 1507–8 Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot. IV. 100 Item to Johne Forman for ane lok to the Kingis latron that standis in the Kingis studee, iiij s. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 316 A noble man of Spaire..kepeth the whole house to himself, and going into his studie [L. bibliothecam], searcheth all thinges. 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. ii. i. 7 Luc. Call'd you my Lord? Brut. Get me a Tapor in my Study, Lucius. 1609 B. Jonson Sil. Wom. iv. v, Doe you obserue this gallerie?.. Here are a couple of studies, at each end one. a 1632 L. Hutten Diss. Antiq. Oxf. (Hearne 1720) 347 That Tower which standeth upon the Bridge..is commonly called by the name of Frier Bacon's Study. 1641 Commons Remonstr. in Wks. Chas. I (1662) II. 62 Some Members of both Houses had their studies and cabinets, yea their pockets, searched. 1654 Whitlock Zootomia 180 Those that have counting Houses forget those that have Studies. 1798 S. Lee Canterb. T., Yng. Lady's T. ii. 448 Crosby fitted up a large and retired parlour as a study. 1857 Hughes Tom Brown i. v, ‘And shall I have a study like this, too?’ said Tom. 1868 Walcott Sacred Archæol. 117 Carol..(2) an enclosed study or reading-place in a cloister, used by the scribes or ordinary monks and regular canons. 1880 Payn Confid. Agent I. 39 Your uncle and I are going to have a pipe in the study. 1904 D. P. Hughes Life H. P. Hughes x. 240 When they came to consult him in his study.

transf. 1800 Bloomfield Farmer's Boy, Spring 32 The fields his study, Nature was his book.

† b. A room or cupboard containing books, etc.

1538 Elyot Dict., Armarium, a study where bokes are laide, or a drye larder. a 1700 B. E. Dict. Cant. Crew, Study, a Closet of Books. 1711 Henley tr. Montfaucon's Trav. Italy v. 86 Having begun here to give an Account of Private Studies, or Closets, we have thought fit in this Place to speak of that of Tarvisiano.

† c. The books contained in a ‘study’ (sense 8, 8 b); a student's collection of books, etc.; a private library. Often a study of books. Obs.

1667 Ashmole Diary (1774) 333, I bought Mr. John Bookers study of books, and gave 140l. for them. a 1672 Wood Life (O.H.S.) II. 178 Foulis..left behind him a larg studie of books; which being afterwards to be sold, A. W. did..make a catalogue of them. 1682 Wheler Journ. Greece i. 41 He is of Candia, hath a good Study of Manuscripts which he brought from thence, and is called Pappa Agapito. 1722 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) VII. 373 The Rev{supd}. M{supr}. Thomas Foulkes of Xt. Ch. hath bought the Study of my Friend. 1736 Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 367 It is said also he was forced to sell his Study of Books.

† d. The office or place of business of a professional man. (= F. étude.) Obs.

1574 Coventry Leet Bk. 817, I gave a deed to be ingrossed with speed, and yt must be done very secretly in a Close studdie or parlour & not in the open shopp. 1581 G. Pettie Guazzo's Civ. Conv. ii. (1586) 106 He went hastelie to the studie of a brother of his who was a Doctor. Ibid. iii. 145 Being not long since in an Aduocates studie, I heard [etc.].

† 9. A seat of learning. general study, study general (= med.L. studium generale), a university.

1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 177 In þis lond was somtyme þe studie and þe scole of Pallas and Minerua. c 1420 Hoccleve Min. Poems 221 He wente vn-to the studie general. 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 222 Charlis Maygne..transportit the study out of Rome and brocht it to Paris,..[and] has gevin to the study of Paris sa mony notable privilegis that clerkis suld joys thare. a 1466 Gregory Chron. in Hist. Coll. Cit. Lond. (Camden) 133 Alle maner chyrchys, unyversyteys, and studyys generalle. a 1470 Harding Chron. cx. i, Martin bishop of Rome, graunted to king Alurede To found & mak a study..And an vniuersitee for clerkes in to rede The whiche he made, at Oxenford. 1499 Reg. Privy Seal Scot. I. 51/1 To pas to the partis beȝond sey to Paris or uther studeis. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. (Rolls) III. 498 This famous studie [sc. St. Andrews] in that ȝeir began. 1538 Starkey England ii. iii. 203 Thys thyng in studys and vnyuersytes ys neclectyd and despysyd. 1599 W. Baker (title) The Fearfull Fansies of the Florentine Couper. Written in Toscane, by Iohn Baptist Gelli, one of the free Studie of Florence. 1673 O. Walker Educ. i. x. 120 Oxford and Paris (the two onely general Studies for a long time on this side the Alps).

10. a. An artistic production executed for the sake of acquiring skill or knowledge, or to serve as a preparation for future work; a careful preliminary sketch for a work of art, or (more usually) for some detail or portion of it; an artist's pictorial record of his observation of some object, incident, or effect, or of something that occurs to his mind, intended for his own guidance in his subsequent work. Also, occas., a drawing, painting, or piece of sculpture aiming to bring out the characteristics of the object represented, as they are revealed by especially careful observation.

1769 Reynolds Disc. R. Acad. ii. Wks. 1797 I. 29 What, therefore, I wish to impress upon you is, that whenever an opportunity offers, you paint your studies instead of drawing them. 1822 H. Mackenzie Life Home 92 Of this piece [sc. Douglas] there are extant..more fragments and original sketches, or, as a painter would call them, studies, than of any other of Mr. Home's productions. 1857 Ruskin Pol. Econ. Art ii. §90 He will make a study of a picture he likes, for his own use, in his own way; but he won't and can't copy. 1871 Hamerton Etcher's Handbk. 59 These two things, the pen study for line, and the sepia study for values of light and dark, are sufficient if properly done, and enough done, to educate an etcher. 1874 R. Tyrwhitt Sketching Club 48 By a study I mean, generally speaking, a finished drawing of some part of a picture. 1883 Ruskin Art of Eng. 10 The study of cattle on a Highland moor in the evening, by Mr. Davis. 1884 Sat. Rev. 7 June 745/2 M. Guignard exhibits a clever study of a calf being fed. 1911 Act 1 & 2 Geo. V, c. 46 §2 (1) Any..sketch, plan, model, or study made him for the purpose of the work.

b. A discourse or literary composition devoted to the detailed consideration of some question, or the minute description of some object; a literary work executed as an exercise or as an experiment in some particular style or mode of treatment.

1866 Carlyle Remin. (1881) II. 240 It was by her address and invention that I got my sooterkin of a ‘study’ improved out of its worst blotches. 1877 Swinburne Note C. Bronte 29 A study in that kind as soft and true as Rousseau's, as keen and true as Browning's. 1911 A. G. Hogg Christ's Message 133 Recall the thought to which the two first Studies of this week led up.

11. Mus. (See quot. 1883.)

1875 Stainer & Barrett Dict. Mus. Terms, Study, a term applied to an exercise for the pianoforte or other instrument. 1883 F. Taylor in Grove's Dict. Mus. III. 746/2 Studies, the name given to a large class of musical compositions,..having..the cultivation of the powers of execution for their chief object. Studies have been written for nearly every instrument, but..it will be sufficient here to speak of Pianoforte Studies, which form the great majority of all those in existence.

12. attrib. and Comb., as (sense 5) study-book, study-club, study-day, † study desk, † study house, study-leave, study tour; study-bearing, study-racked, study-worn adjs.; (sense 8) study-bedroom, study-cap, study-chair, study-door, study-fagging, study-fire, study-lamp, † study man, study-table, study window; study-bred adj. Also study boy, in some schools, a boy who, as being in an upper form, has a share of a ‘study’ (sense 8); study circle, a group that meets regularly to discuss a particular topic of study; study group = prec.; freq. an investigative committee formed by a political, industrial, or other body for this purpose; study-hall [= F. salle d'étude], in Roman Catholic colleges, a large room in which the pupils prepare their lessons; study-place, (a) = sense 8; (b) = study-hall.

1670 Eachard Cont. Clergy 25 If..instead of such either of inferiour parts, or a feeble constitution,..there were pick'd out those that were of a tolerable ingenuity, of a *study-bearing body, and..as hence there is nothing to hinder our universities from being full, so [etc.].

1930 Times Educ. Suppl. 26 July 332/2 *Study-bedrooms for 108 inmates. 1978 J. I. M. Stewart Full Term i. 15 Schools that are a bit lavish with study-bedrooms for senior boys.

1610 Bolton Elem. Armories 49 Fitt Armes, and *study-books for whom. 1858 W. G. Trery (title) A Study Book of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xxiv, I..purchased a study-book in law.

1899 Kipling Stalky vi. 181 The four long form-rooms in which all below the rank of *study-boys worked.

1899 J. A. Hobson Ruskin 220 An abortive brood of *study-bred theories and researches.

1832 S. Warren Diary Physic. II. ii. 59 He was in a brown dressing gown, and *study cap.

1848 B. F. Westcott in A. Westcott Life (1903) I. ii. 102 In my inventory they call it a *study-chair! 1886 G. Allen Maimie's Sake xvii, He sat..in a red velvet-cushioned study-chair.

1938 L. MacNeice I crossed Minch vi. 84 They've no team spirit, they won't take part In our *study circles and community art. 1979 B. G. Skinner Robert Exon iv. 31 Study circles, Chapter meetings.

1910 Universe 26 Aug. 8 Its columns have in the past led to the formation of various groups and *study-clubs.

1730 T. Boston Acc. My Life xii. (1908) 286 For about 3 weeks, as my *study-day came about, I found my self unfitted for it.

1549 Chaloner Erasm. Praise Folly Q ij b, As though I had priuely piked our Maister doctors cunning out of their *studi deskes.

1585 Daniel tr. P. Jovius' Disc. Imprese G vij, Of whom he [sc. Erasmus] demaunded what posie were fit to be set on his *Studie doore. 1853 Mrs. Gaskell Ruth xxx, His study-door was but a step from that which led into the street.

1857 Hughes Tom Brown i. viii, He..chose them for his fags, and excused them from *study-fagging.

1817 Scott Harold Introd., I love my *study-fire to trim, And con right vacantly some idle tale.

1926 Scribner's Mag. Sept. 8/2 The Foundation is accumulating a body of literature on Positive Health, for the use of individuals and organized *study groups. 1948 Ann. Reg. 1947 223 Before the conference came to an end thirteen of the participating countries decided to create a ‘study group’ to examine the possibility of creating a general European Customs union. a 1974 R. Crossman Diaries (1975) I. 75 The only thing I need really mention is the dinner held at Arnold Goodman's house for my Rent Bill study group.

1891 Tablet 12 Sept. 415 You will not get it all in the *study-halls and in the class-halls.

1499 Promp. Parv. 65/2 (Pynson) Cell or *stody hows, cella.

1883 F. M. Crawford Dr. Claudius i, He struck a match and lit his *study-lamp.

1961 Times 12 Oct. 13/7 The huge expansion of universities has..made it more difficult for them [sc. members of staff] to take *study-leave. 1982 M. Duke Flashpoint vi. 44 A spell of study-leave before you take on the new job.

1657 J. Watts Scribe, Pharisee etc. 266 Passing our times in speculative notions and contemplations, as some onely *Study-men, and not Pulpit-men do.

1563 Shute Grounds Archit. 3 b, Your *study places, where you wold write, draw or deuise..ought to receiue their light from the northe. 1667 in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. III. 71 They satt to gether in the studdy place. c 1755 in B. Ward Hist. St. Edmund's Coll. (1893) 301 At two o'clock on School Days all go to ye Study Place.

1812 W. Tennant Auster F. vi. xlvi, Thy *study-rack'd, perplexed brains.

1857 Hughes Tom Brown i. viii, Selling even his school⁓books, candlestick, and *study table. 1912 Hibbert Jrnl. Oct. 121 The dullard will be more happy and useful at the plough-tail than at the study-table.

1937 John o' London's Weekly 7 May 209/2 A tin to keep my damp cake of soap from coming into contact with the bristles of my toothbrush during *studytours. 1977 Jrnl. R. Soc. Arts CXXV. 519/2 Approximately 90 former Bursary winners made study tours abroad.

1871 Lowell (title) My *Study Windows. 1897 ‘Tivoli’ (H. W. Bleackley) Short Innings xv. 221 Dick hoisted himself through the study-window.

1843 D. Pollok in Life R. Pollok 333 He..was pale, thin and *study-worn.

▪ II. study, v.
    (ˈstʌdɪ)
    Pa. tense and pa. pple. studied. Forms: 3–7 studie, 4 stidie, stude, 4–6 stodie, -y, studye, 5 studdie, (stedye), 5–6 stodye, (6 pres. pple. stoding), 7–8 studdy, 4– study. See also estudy.
    [ME. studie, a. OF. estudier (mod.F. étudier) = Pr. estudiar (semi-popular estuziar), Sp. estudiar, Pg. estudar, It. studiare, ad. med.L. studiāre, f. studium study n.
    The verb has always been the usual rendering of L. studēre (see study n.), which has influenced the sense-development.]
    I. Intransitive uses.
    1. a. To apply the mind to the acquisition of learning, whether by means of books, observation, or experiment. † Const. in, on, upon (a book, a branch of learning). See also sense 1 d.

c 1300 St. Edmund 279 in E.E.P. (1862) 78 He lynede adoun vpon his boc, þo he ne miȝte studie nomore. c 1320 Sir Tristr. 281 In bok, while he was þore, He stodieþ euer, þat stiþe. 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. xii. 6 The were lef to lerne but loth for to stodie. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxi. (Eugenia) 34 Þir twa ȝung men Ithandly studyt in philosophy. c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 184 What sholde he studie, and make hymseluen wood Vpon a boke in Cloystre alwey to poure. c 1400 Rule St. Benet (Prose) xlviii. 33 When prime is sungen til vndern salle ye studie in lescuns. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 217 Eche thyng of kynde drawith to his nature, Som to profite in wysdam and science, Som also to studyen in Scripture. 1450–80 tr. Secreta Secret. xxviii. 21 The nobille Plato he stodied in the science of Astronomye. 1530 Palsgr. 741/2, I wolde fayne be a great clerke, but I love not to studye. 1661 H. Newcome Diary (Chetham Soc.) 9, I kept in all y⊇ afternoone and studdyed on another doct. on my text Act. xxiv. 25. 1709 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) II. 245 [Harduin] maliciously asserts that the Cardinal's way of studying was to read Indexes. a 1721 Prior Advice of Venus 12 On female idleness his [Cupid's] pow'r relies, But when he finds us studying-hard he flies. 1746 Francis tr. Hor., Sat. ii. vii. 20 [He] Now rakes at Rome, and now to Athens flies; Intensely studies with the Learn'd and Wise.

b. quasi-refl. with complement.

1711 Steele Spect. No. 132 ¶1 A Gentleman that had studied himself dumb. 1725 N. Bailey Fam. Colloq. Erasm. (1733) 16, I approve well enough of studying hard, but not to study myself to Death. 1769 E. Bancroft Guiana 227, I have not yet studied myself into a habit of investigating the Minutiae of Nature.

c. To follow one's educational or professional studies at a university, college, or the like; to be a student or learner of some science or art under a professor or master. † Const. in.

c 1450 J. Capgrave St. Aug. xi. 17 Alipius, he seith, was at Cartage, stodying in rethorik. 1531 N. Country Wills (Surtees 1908) 127 Powr scolers..in eyther of thunyversites..there studying in holy Dyvinitie. 1592 Kyd Span. Trag. iv. i. 76 When in Tolledo there I studied It was my chance to write a Tragedie. 1617 Moryson Itin. i. 6 Each man paid a Lubeck shilling for tribute, my selfe onely excepted, who had that priviledge because I went to study in the Universities. 1758 L. Temple Sketches (ed. 2) 55 Vandyke studied under Rubens. 1780 Mirror No. 70 They had grown up at the same schools, and studied under the same masters. 1884 A. Bain Pract. Ess. 204 In the current phrase, ‘studying under some one,’ there is a more express reference to being taught by a master, as in listening to lectures. 1898 A. Sutherland in H. G. Turner & S. Developm. Austral. Lit. 132 Now he had a chance of studying at the hands of Tom Sayers, afterwards the pugilist hero of England.

d. To make a close study of (a subject), to ‘bone’ up (on, in), esp. in preparation for some display of knowledge (intr. use of sense 7 b). U.S. colloq.

1946 Chicago Daily News 25 June 31/3 Ah'll git a li'l closer, an' study up on him! 1956 R. Robinson Landscape with Dead Dons xiii. 114, I am sure that if you once studied up a little in psychology you would be as struck as I was. 1970 N. Armstrong et al. First on Moon vi. 131 He had studied up on vineyards so he could tell wonderful stories about them. 1980 J. Ball Then came Violence ii. 10 ‘We know quite a lot about Pasadena,’ he said. ‘Have you been studying up?’ the chief asked.

2. a. To think intently; to meditate (about, † of, on, upon, in); to reflect, try to recollect something or to come to a decision. Now dial. and U.S. colloq.

1340 Ayenb. 24 Þet ech may betere y-zy yne him-zelue yef he wyle wel studie. c 1400 Sc. Trojan War (Horstm.) i. 64 All wrath ande angry ine hys hert Stude studeande a litill stert. c 1400 Beryn 1793 Beryn studied in the ches, al-þouȝe it nauȝt a-vailid. 1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye i. xxiv. 63 But yf youre harte be set..to study aboute the stablynge of the mynde in god, ye can not..saye hys seruyce deuoutly. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xii. 287 He loked dounwarde, & studyed a goode while that he sayd noo worde. 1514 Barclay Cit. & Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.) 18 Yet let me stody, avoydynge perturbaunce So maye I call them unto my remembraunce. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon liii. 179 They both began to study for y⊇ fyrst draught [i.e. move at chess]. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV, 20 When the kyng had long digested and studied on this matter he made aunswere and sayd. c 1563 Jack Juggler 310 And if I wold sit stoding this .vii. yere I shall not ells find how to saue me all clere. 1580 J. Hester tr. Fioravanti's Disc. Chirurg. 31, I..beganne to consider of the matter,..& so studying, it came in my memory, that the aire was cause of their death. 1610 Shakes. Temp. ii. i. 82 You make me study of that: She was of Carthage, not of Tunis. 1647 Lightfoot Harmony O.T. 49 Moses feeding his sheep and studying upon God, hath a vision of Christ in a bush. 1672 Dryden 1st Pt. Conq. Granada iii. Stage-dir., He walks swiftly, and discomposedly studying. 1811 Henry & Isabella II. 5 He was not so spiritually engrossed, but that he had time to study a little upon temporal affairs. 1844 Yorks. Comet No. i. 1 Moare Ah studied aboot it an' war it pottered me. 1876 ‘Mark Twain’ Tom Sawyer xviii, ‘Go on, Tom!’ ‘Just let me study a moment—just a moment. Oh, yes—you said you believed the door was open.’ 1895 Dialect Notes I. 374 Study, talk, discuss, consider... ‘I studied about her to my man when I got home.’ 1940 W. Faulkner Hamlet iv. i. 244, I was absent-minded one night when I was staking them out. Studying about something else and forgot how long the wire was. 1965 ‘Malcolm X’ Autobiogr. (1966) xiii. 306, I studied about if I just should happen to say something to her—what would her position be?

† b. Phrase, to study by or in oneself. Obs.

c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 1440 Cuthbert was gretly stonyed And be him selfe bisily stedyed. c 1450 Merlin ii. 28 Gretly stodied euery clerke be hym-self, but for all their labour thei cowde not fynde but oon thynge. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon li. 171 He began to study in hymself whether he shulde shewe the trouthe or eles to lye.

† c. To be in doubt or perplexity; to ‘take thought’ anxiously. Obs.

1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. viii. 132 Mony tyme þis Metels han made me to studie For pers loue. c 1386 Chaucer Merch. T. 711 Who studieth now but faire fresshe May? 1460 J. Capgrave Chron. (Rolls) 25 This mad simple men to studye, supposing that he was a god. 1493 Festivall (W. de W. 1515) 139 b, Than came an aungel to Joseph & badde he sholde take Mary to his kepynge & study no more there⁓upon. 1546 J. Heywood Prov. ii. iv. (1867) 49 Husband (quoth she) ye studie, be mery now, And euen as ye thynke now so come to yow. a 1586 Montgomerie Misc. Poems xxiv. 31, I, that som tyme solide wes and sage, Begouth to studie, stupefact and strange.

† d. With indirect question: To debate with oneself, deliberate, consider. Obs.

a 1300 Cursor M. 22166 Þai sal be studiand in þair thoght, Queþer þat he be crist or nai. Ibid. 28013 And yee leuedis..studis hu your hare to heu. a 1340 Hampole Ps. xiii. 2 Þai kast and studis how þai moght doe in dede þat þai haf wickidly thoght. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 146 This king began to studie and muse, What strange matiere he myhte use The knyhtes wittes to confounde. c 1450 Merlin xii. 178 He..be-gan to stodye howe he myght spede to go the kynge Arthur. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon cl. 570 She stode styl and studyed what voyce it myght be. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, v. v. 1, I haue beene studying how I may compare This prison where I liue, vnto the world. 1600 Fairfax Tasso v. xcii, He studied how to feed that mightie host. 1694 Atterbury Serm. (1726) I. 184 Every Man is continually studying how to put a Trick upon his Neighbour. 1788 A. Hughes Henry & Isab. III. 79 She determined..not to study what would best deceive her friends and the world; but [etc.].

† e. To ask oneself without answer, ‘wonder’ why, what, etc. Obs.

c 1480 Henryson Mor. Fab. x. (Fox & Wolf) v, I studdie, quhy ye suld stop me, Sen that I faltit neuer to you. a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) Dd vj b, I studye soore what hath meued the to leaue chyualrye.

† f. To search, ‘cast about’ for. Obs.

1551 Robinson tr. More's Utopia ii. iii. (1895) 137 That no man..shall then afterwarde rather studye for [L. excogitet] reasons wherewyth to defende [etc.]. 1592 Arden of Feversham v. iii. 13 Study not for an answer; looke not down. 1609 Rowlands Knave Clubs (1872) 38 A greedy minded gripple Clearke, Had gathered store of gould, And studied for a place secure His hoorded heape to hould. 1613 T. Adams White Devil Ep. Ded., This Sermon beares so strange a Title in the forhead, that I durst not (a while) study for a Patronage to it. 1717–8 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Lady ― 16 Mar., I am in great danger of losing my English... I am forced to study for Expressions. 1732 Swift Let. to Gay 10 July, I found a Moral first and studied for a Fable. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) VII. 369 She must have studied for an expedient.

† 3. To exercise oneself, employ one's thought or effort in. Obs.

1450–80 tr. Secreta Secret. Prol. 3 For euyr he was stodiyng in good and gracious thewes. 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 25 Otheris that studyit nocht in the keping of leautee, bot mare in the contrufing [printed contrusing] of falshede. 1474 Caxton Chesse iv. i. (1883) 161 Whan the gouernours studye in wisedom.

4. a. With inf.: To endeavour, make it one's aim, set oneself deliberately to do something. arch.

1340 Ayenb. 232 Stude þou to bleue. c 1350 Will. Palerne 130 Þan studied sche stifly as stepmoderes wol alle, to do dernly a despit to here stepchilderen. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xv. 587 Þei..studyeden to stroyen hym and stroyden hemself. c 1450 J. Capgrave St. Gilbert xiv. 80 Þis very prest Gilbert stodied euery day to bere schidis to þe holy fyr whech brent in þe tabernacle. 1474 Caxton Chesse iii. vi. (1883) 132 We studye for to be lyke vnto belues of the see. c 1482 J. Kay tr. Caoursin's Siege of Rhodes (1870) ¶11 They tourned theire fantasye and studyed wyth alle theire vertue and myghte to assaute the cyte. 1519 Interl. Four Elem. (Percy Soc.) 4 Yet amonge moste folke that man is holdyn Moste wyse, whiche to be ryche studyeth only. 1526 Tindale 1 Thess. iv. 11 We beseche you..that ye studdy to be quyet [so 1611], and to medle with youre owne busynes. 1549 Bk. Com. Prayer, Commun., Prayer for King, That..he [the King] maye..study to preserue thy people,..in wealth, peace, and Godlynes. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. xvi. 17 b, They study to seek places coole & shadowous. 1639 N. N. tr. Du Bosq's Compl. Woman ii. 59 The more lascivious study commonly to appeare most chast. c 1665 Mrs. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1846) 359 But Cromwell, who of late studied to give him neglects, passed him by. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome 312 He study'd to do as much Mischief as he could. a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1766) I. 115 No body did ever study to hurt him. 1798 Webbe in Owen Wellesley's Desp. (1877) 10, I have not studied to exaggerate any part of this memorandum. 1823 Scott Quentin D. xxi, ‘For whom are you?’..‘For France—for France,’ answered Quentin, studying to get away.

† b. With clause: To employ one's effort that.

1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. ii. vi. (1674) 145 They should chiefly study, that..clemency might clearly be seen in the punishment.

† 5. [After L. studēre with dat.] To be addicted to; to direct one's efforts to; to be solicitous for, after; to set one's mind upon. Obs.

1382 Wyclif Jer. vi. 13 Alle to auarice studien. ― 2 Macc. ii. 29 Forsothe grauntynge the trewthe of alle autours, bot we oure self studyinge to shortnesse. c 1430 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems 205 Þou studiest after nyce aray. 1561 J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) Pref. 19 Certeine thinges..I have not set forth in these my sermons, studieng much, for breuity. 1603 Stow Surv. Lond. (1908) I. 189 Their Prelates,..studying for mony, omitted the punishment limitted by law.

II. Transitive uses.
† 6. a. To ponder over, meditate upon. Obs.

a 1300 Cursor M. 7128 Þis [sc. Samson's riddle] it was quen þai had soght, And stodid thre dais al for noght. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 116 Studie þou þe dede of Crist, and knitt oo witt wiþ anoþer. 1474 Caxton Chesse iv. viii. (1883) 186 To gyue hem cause to leue her pensifnes and sorowes In auysynge & studyynge this game.

b. causatively. To cause to muse; to perplex. Obs. exc. dial.

1654 T. Whalley in Ussher's Lett. (1686) 602 Your noting their defects..more studied me.

7. a. To apply one's mind to the acquiring of (a science, art, language, etc.).

1445 in Anglia XXVIII. 273 Aonias also, which crafte of musys studyed. 1516 Kal. New Leg. Eng. (Pynson) 28 b, As he was studyinge arythmetryke, his moder then latlye deed apperyd to hym. 1596 Shakes. Tam. Shr. i. i. 40 In briefe sir, studie what you most affect. 1634 Sir T. Hawkins Pol. Observ. 36 Happy he, who studieth prudence on anothers bookes. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India & P. 263 Studying all the Arts of Thrift, will Travel for Fifty Shillings. a 1704 Locke Educ. §167 Wks. 1714 III. 74 If a Gentleman be to study any Language, it ought to be that of his own Country. 1715 Addison Drummer iii. i, I warrant you he has study'd the black art. 1750 Warburton Julian Introd. p. xxxviii, That very Philosophy, which was then adopted to explain articles of Faith, was now studied only to instruct us in the history of the human mind [etc.]. 1788 A. Hughes Henry & Isab. III. 28 Our heroine had not at all studied the rules of whist, and practised them very little. 1833 G. Combe Lect. Pop. Educ. i. (1848) 14 They have wasted in studying—or in attempting to study—Greek and Latin, the only time which their pressing occupations left at their command. 1878 Stedman Oxford: Soc. & Intell. Life 280 Political Economy may be studied in Fawcett or Mill.

b. colloq. to study up: to study (a subject) in view of some special emergency, e.g. an examination; to ‘get up’.

1880 ‘Mark Twain’ Tramp Abroad 412 Studying up the subject of Alpine climbing. 1922 Joyce Ulysses 728 He knows a lot..about the body and the insides..often wanted to study up that myself.

8. a. To be occupied with (a specific branch of learning) as the subject of one's educational course or professional training.

1569 T. Underdown Ovid's Invect. Ibis Pref. A vij, Ouid..was a gentleman of a good house,..who rather to please hys father, then for any loue he bare thervnto, studyed the lawe. But after his decease, he returned to his olde study of Poetry againe. 1611 G. H. tr. Anti-Coton 35 Being asked whether hee had studyed Diuinitie in the Colledge of Iesuites, he answered: Yea, [etc.]. 1700 Evelyn Diary 8 Dec., The Chancery requiring so little skill in deep law learning, if the practiser can talk eloquently in that Court, so that probably few care to study the law to any purpose. 1841 Penny Cycl. XXI. 184/1 The university of Göttingen, where Seetzen from 1785–88 studied medicine, the natural sciences, [etc.].

† b. In passive, To be educated. Obs.

a 1662 Heylin Hist. Presbyt. ii. (1670) 54 The State of Avignion,..being visited with such of the French Preachers as had been studied at Geneva. 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacræ ii. ii. §5 And after, speaking of their Kings being studied in their arts as well as others of the Priests, he adds, [etc.].

9. a. To read (a book, a passage, an author) with close attention.

1422 Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 247 Good bokys to rede and study. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 2 But rather I beseche all the reders so to study this present treatyse, that [etc.]. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. ¶4 If we doe not studie them [the Scriptures]. 1701 De Foe Trueborn Eng. 29 The Learned Men who study Aristotle. 1844 E. FitzGerald Lett. (1889) I. 125 Think of the rocococity of a gentleman studying Seneca in the middle of February 1844 in a remarkably damp cottage. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair ix, At college..he prepared himself for public life..by studying the ancient and modern orators with great assiduity. 1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. Pref. p. viii, One cannot be always studying one's own works. 1881 P. Brooks Candle of Lord 60 A text which we have once studied is like a star upon which we have once looked through the telescope. 1910 Month Jan. 2, I have read promiscuously in the Miscellaneous Writings, sampling nearly everything and studying some sections carefully. 1910 F. C. Burkitt Earliest Sources Life Jesus ii. 32 Their common matter may be studied and compared at a glance.

b. Of an actor: To commit to memory and exercise oneself in the rendering of (a part).

1601 Shakes. Twel. N. i. v. 190, I can say little more then I haue studied, & that question's out of my part. 1602 ― Ham. ii. ii. 566 You could for a need study a speech of some dosen or sixteene lines? 1778 F. Burney Evelina (1791) I. x. 19, I could hardly believe he [sc. Garrick] had studied a written part, for every word seemed to be uttered from the impulse of the moment. 1779 Mirror No. 9 ¶2 The part of Lear was to be performed by an actor who had studied the character under the English Roscius.

10. a. To examine in detail, seek to become minutely acquainted with or to understand (a phenomenon, a state of circumstances, a series of events, a person's character, etc.); to investigate (a problem).

1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 131 Who had sent John de Noghera to the Vniuersitie of Coimbra, to studie the point of their pretended election. 1658 R. Flecknoe Enigm. Charac. 76 In Grammer Schools, where they study Boyes so long, they are marr'd for ever studying men. a 1687 Petty Polit. Anat. x. (1691) 70 So as it becomes a Trade to study and make Advantages of these Irregularities [in the value of coin]. 1807 Opie Lect. iv. (1848) 321 In studying and copying the works of old and celebrated masters, it is proper, however, that [etc.]. 1830 R. Knox Beclard's Anat. 42 The anatomist may study the human body in two different states. 1843 Ruskin Mod. Paint. I. i. i. i. §2 The mindless copyist studies Raffaelle, but not what Raffaelle studied. 1845 Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 14 The Church studying the barbarian temper for the purpose of winning it to Christ. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 105 Over the room which he occupied in the King's Bench prison lodged another offender whose character well deserves to be studied. 1885 ‘H. Conway’ Family Affair xxvii, The more he studied the situation, the more apparent it became that, to use his own words, he was in a cleft stick. 1907 A. W. Stewart Stereochem. 546 Brion studied the action of the animal organism upon the four tartaric acids. 1918 Times Lit. Suppl. 14 Mar. 126/2 It is through the writings of Tolstoy and others that the intelligent public has studied Russia.

b. To scrutinize (a visible object) in order to ascertain its nature or to be familiar with or interpret its appearance; loosely, to look at as if examining minutely.

1662 W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. iii. verse 18. lviii. 528 The curious Limner studies the face of the man before he makes his draught. 1700 Dryden Fables Ep. Ded. C 1, You have studied every Spot of Ground in Flanders, which..has been the Scene of Battles and of Sieges. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T., Prussian Vase (1816) I. 222 Many studied the countenance of the king, to discover what his wishes might be. 1844 Kinglake Eothen xiv, By seizing and studying the contents of my dearest portmanteaus. 1878 Stedman Oxford: Soc. & Intell. Life 286 Finally he will study the specimens in the Court with the aid of the Catalogues of the Oxford Museum. 1889 Century Mag. May 85/2 He was studying the toe of his foot visible through a rift in his well⁓worn brogan. 1908 R. Bagot A. Cuthbert xxi. 257 She was engaged in studying her sister-in-law's figure and personality attentively.

11. To aim at, seek to achieve. Now only, to be solicitous of, aim at (some quality in one's own action).

1606 Chapman Gentl. Usher v. ii. 22 Nor studiest eminence, and the higher place Amongst thy consorts, like all other Dames. 1611 Bible Prov. xxiv. 2 For their heart studieth destruction. c 1611 Chapman Iliad vii. 55 Saturnius..(studying both our ils) Will neuer ceasse till Mars..his rauenous stomacke fils, With ruin'd Troy. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. v. 29 While some have studied Monuments, others have studiously declined them. 1667 Milton P.L. ix. 233 For nothing lovelier can be found In woman, then to studie houshold good. 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 355 The three Villains studied nothing but Revenge. 1738 Swift Pol. Conversat. Introd. 43, I most earnestly recommend to my male Readers, that they would please a little to study Variety. Mod. He seems to have studied brevity rather than lucidity.

† 12. To meditate, purpose. Obs.

1669 Dryden Tyr. Love iii. i. (1670) 27 He from your bed does study a Divorce.

13. To devise, excogitate. Now only with out.

1559 Homilies I. Good Wks. iii. I iv, Suche as he hath commaunded in his holy Scripture, and not suche woorkes as menne haue studyed out of their owne brayne. [1549 I iv b reads haue immagined of their awne brayne.] 1611 Beaum. & Fl. Maid's Trag. v. (1619) L 1 b, Thou art some prating Fellow, One that hath studied out a tricke to talke And moue soft harted people. a 1637 B. Jonson Sad Sheph. i. iii, I will still study some revenge past this! 1782 Warton Ess. Pope II. viii. 78 The temple itself is nobly and magnificently studied. 1845–6 Trench Huls. Lect. Ser. i. vi. 95 We might study out a system; but can we ever study out a person?

14. To exercise thought and deliberation in (an action, composition, etc.).

1668 Evelyn tr. Freart's Idea Perf. Paint. 120 Intelligent men, who finding nothing of rare and well studied in their Works..will be soon wearied with a transitory view of their Labors. 1710 Felton Diss. Classics (1718) 171 His Words flowed rather from Nature than Art; and where they appear most to be studied, they appear at the same time to be most affected. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xxvi, It was tied up with an evident eye to the contrast of colour, and the arrangement of every leaf had carefully been studied. 1857 Trollope Barchester T. xxxii, The epistle to Mr. Towers was studied, and recopied, and elaborated at the cost of so many minutes, that [etc.].

15. To pay practical regard to, ‘consider’ (a person's wishes, feelings or interests); hence colloq., to be careful of the convenience or feelings of, to humour (a person).

1758 S. Hayward Serm xvii. 534 Where a person..is continually studying our advantage. 1798 S. Lee Canterb. T. Young Lady's T. II. 31 [He] soon studied her convenience. 1852 Dickens Bleak Ho. ii, I [a tradesman] have been accustomed to study the leaders of my high connexion. 1858 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. II. 352 With no husband to study, housekeeping is mere play. 1861 F. W. Robinson No Church v. v. III. 258 Say that. to set her free, I have to ask the law to take you prisoner again, do you think for a moment I should study you in saving her? 1891 Times (weekly ed.) 1 Nov. 875/3 She was willing to study their wishes to a certain extent. 1895 Law Times XCIX. 545/2 We best serve our own interests in studying the interests of those for whom we act. 1909 Spectator 25 Sept. 451/1 They speak of a sensitive child who must be studied.

▪ III. study
obs. var. steady, stithy.