State sb.

Forms: 3–6 stat, (4 stade, pl. stas (?)), 4–5 staat, 4–5, 7 statt, 4–6 statte, 4, 5–7 Sc. stait(e, 5–6 Sc. stayt(e, 6 Sc. staet, steat, 7 Sc. staitt, 4– state. [Partly var. of ESTATE sb. a. OF. estat (mod.F. état) = Pr. estat-z, Sp., Pg. estado, It. stato, ad. L. status (u stem), manner of standing, condition, n. of action f. sta-, stāre to stand; partly direct adaptation from the Latin source. The word in the Rom. langs. has or has had most of the senses of the Eng. state and estate; in the mod. Teut. langs. it has been adopted in forms derived from Latin or It. (G., Du. staat, Sw., Da. stat) chiefly in the political senses, though other uses also exist; Sw. has the form ståt in the sense ceremonial grandeur, pomp (sense 17 below).]

  I.  Condition, manner of existing.

  1.  A combination of circumstances or attributes belonging for the time being to a person or thing; a particular manner or way of existing, as defined by the presence of certain circumstances or attributes; a condition. Sometimes qualified by an adj. or a following phrasal genitive.

  State of nature: see NATURE sb. 14. State of siege: the condition of undergoing investment by a hostile army; also transf.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 204. Þet is riht religiun, þet euerich, efter his stat, boruwe et tisse urakele worlde so lutel so heo euer mei.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), vi. 21. Þat he schuld bring it [the Euphrates] to swilke a state þat wymmen schuld mow wade ouer and noȝt wete þaire kneesse.

c. 1450.  Reg. Godstow Nunnery (1911), 415. That the forsaid ser Thomas shold susteyne the forsaid halle … in all so good a state or better than he resceived hit.

c. 1460.  Oseney Reg., 161. That þe waye Bitwene þ^e londe of þe same Roger and my londe … be in þ^e same state in þe which it whas i-purueyed … In the tyme of theobalde of Bray.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, lxxii. 130. To keip the house in sicker stait.

c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., xxix. 2. I all alone beweepe my out-cast state.

1735.  H. Walpole, Lett., 5 Sept. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. I. 259. Y^e violent & desperate state of their affairs.

1750.  Johnson, Rambler, No. 28, ¶ 13. Adversity has ever been considered as the state in which a man most easily becomes acquainted with himself.

1791.  Cowper, Lett. to Lady Hesketh, 26 June. Olney is also itself in a state of beautification.

1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 324. Concerning the State and Condition of the Edystone Lighthouse.

1809.  Lond. Chron., 1 July, 4/2. He … saw the young lady opposite to him … in a state of nature, quite naked.

1815.  J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 833. The changes which it exhibits according to the state of the weather.

1843.  Wordsworth, in Chr. Wordsw., Mem. (1851), I. 97. A successful play would in the then state of my finances have been a most welcome piece of good fortune.

1847.  Tennyson, in Ld. Tennyson, Mem. (1897), I. xi. 244. My pen is … in a state of hopeless splittage and divarication.

1848, 1873.  [see SIEGE sb. 6 b].

1880.  Encycl. Brit., XIII. 190/2. International law regards the states of the world as being either in a state of war or in a state of peace.

1890.  Law Times Rep., LXIII. 766/2. Owing to the crowded state of the port.

1891.  Law Times, XC. 411/2. Allowing a foundry and other property to fall into … a state of disrepair.

  b.  in regard to welfare or prosperity (worldly, moral or spiritual). Now somewhat rare.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5059. ‘How fars,’ he said, ‘our fadir state?’

13[?].  Sir Beues, 1990. Þai kiste hem anon wiþ þat And aþer askede of oþeres stat.

c. 1325.  Poem temp. Edw. II. (Percy), vii. Erchebisshopes and byshopes, That schuld trewly enquere Of al men of holy cherche In what stat thei were.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 572. Algate he wayted so in his Achaat That he was ay biforn and in good staat.

1632.  Massinger, Maid of Honour, II. iii. If we come off, It is not amisse, if not, my state is settl’d.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 415. The great criterion of the state of the common people is the amount of their wages.

  † c.  For the state of = for the welfare of (a person prayed for). Obs. Cf. 27.

1395.  E. E. Wills, 8. To preye for my lordes soule … and for the stat of my sone forseid.

[1399.  Gower, Eng. Wks. (Macaulay), II. 492. Et nunc sequitur epistola in qua idem Ioannes pro statu et salute dicti domini sui apud altissimum deuocius exorat.]

c. 1460.  Oseney Reg., 70. For þe stabulnese of all þe reame and state and welth of our Kyng ande quene.

  d.  as regards health of mind and body.

  † State of mortality: a fatal epidemic.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 28496. Womman ner hir chiltyng state.

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xli. (Agnes), 71. His fadir send … medicinaris, his stat to se.

1538.  Starkey, England, 35. Yet yf hyt be deformyd … the body hath not hys perfayt state and vertue.

1591.  Savile, Tacitus, Hist., II. xciii. 108. The Germans and Frenchmen lying by the Tiber … vtterly ouerthrew the state of their body with too much swimming in the riuer and impatience of heate.

c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., cxviii. 11. And brought to medicine a healthfull state.

1700.  in Jrnl. Friends Hist. Soc. (1914), Oct., 180. A letter … from my sister … who … advises of a state of mortality in ther Country attended with a sort of feauor.

1813.  Jane Austen, Lett. (1884), II. 202. It is but roughish weather for any one in a tender state.

1854.  J. C. Bucknill, Unsoundness of Mind, 89. He was fully conscious of his state, and had great hopes of being cured in the asylum.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 492. Urticaria occurs as a premonitory … or concomitant phenomenon in a great number of morbid states.

1908.  R. Bagot, A. Cuthbert, xxviii. 370. It was in vain that he attempted to deceive his patient as to her state.

  † e.  as regards means of livelihood, riches or possessions. Obs. Cf. sense 36 and ESTATE sb. 2.

1389.  in Eng. Gilds (1870), 20. If eny brother or sister falle in pouert,… his state shal bene holpen, of euery brother and sister of ye gilde, w^t a ferthyng in ye woke.

a. 1425.  trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc. (1910), 5. Þan after þat þe state of þe pacient askeþ aske he boldly more or lesse.

c. 1430.  How Good Wife taught Dau., 149, in Hazl., E. P. P., I. 190. Ilke a man after his state, and ȝeue the pouere atte nede.

1557.  F. Seager, Sch. Vertue, 1088, in Babees Bk. Ye that are poore, with your state be contente.

c. 1590.  Greene, Fr. Bacon, 588. Ile giue Liuing and lands to strength thy colledge state.

1611.  Tourneur, Ath. Trag., II. i. Yow shall doe well if yow be sicke to set Your state in present order.

1763.  Churchill, Conference, 109. My Credit at last gasp, my State undone.

  f.  colloq. Used for ‘a dreadful state’ (of dirt, untidiness, etc.). Cf. 2 c.

1879.  F. W. Robinson, Coward Consc., II. vii. Just look what a [dirty] state I am in!

  2.  A condition (of mind or feeling); the mental or emotional condition in which a person finds himself at a particular time.

1538.  Starkey, England, 43. When prosperyte ys wel vsyd, hyt ys a mean to set mannys mynd in that state, wherby he schal attayne hyar felycyte.

1638.  Junius, Paint. Ancients, 292. The motions of the countenance doe best expresse the state of the mind.

1728.  Law, Serious Call, ix. Covetousness … supposes a foolish and unreasonable state of mind.

1751.  Johnson, Rambler, No. 155, ¶ 2. It seems generally believed, that, as the eye cannot see itself, the mind has no faculties by which it can contemplate its own state.

1820.  Southey, Wesley, I. 329. England was but in too apt a state for receiving the poison.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, lviii. He … brought Mr. Jos … to a very good state of feeling regarding his relatives in Europe.

1865.  Ruskin, Sesame, i. § 31. No reading is possible for a people with its mind in this state.

1882.  Pebody, Eng. Journalism, xx. 149. The whole country was in a state of white heat about the Roman Catholic claims.

1890.  trans. Moll’s Hypnotism, 48. From the above examples it appears that the various hypnotic states differ much from one another.

  b.  as a technical term of psychology; esp. in state of mind, state of consciousness.

1749.  Hartley, Observ. Man, I. Introd. p. iii. The Will is that State of Mind, which is immediately previous to, and causes, those express Acts of Memory, Fancy, and bodily Motion, which are termed voluntary.

c. 1790.  Reid, Lett. to Gregory, Wks. (1846), 85. The reason why madness, idiotism, &c., are called states of mind, while its acts and operations are not, is because mankind have always conceived the mind to be passive in the former and active in the later.

c. 1810.  T. Brown, Lect. Philos. Hum. Mind (1820), I. 245. To the whole series of states of the mind, then, whatever the individual momentary successive states may be, I give the name of our consciousness.

1836–7.  Sir W. Hamilton, Lect. Metaphysics (1859), I. 203. We are conscious of one mental state only as we contradistinguish it from another. Ibid. (c. 1837), Reid’s Wks. (1846), 85, note. The term State has, more especially of late years, and principally by Necessitarian philosophers, been applied to all modifications of mind indifferently.

1862.  H. Spencer, First Princ., I. iii. § 19 (1875), 61. It is … beyond question that our states of consciousness occur in succession.

1866.  [see CONSCIOUSNESS 4].

  c.  Used colloq. for: An agitated or excited state of mind or feeling. Cf. 1 f.

1837.  Marryat, Perc. Keene, xxii. Lord, what a state I shall be in till I know what has taken place.

1890–1.  Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. There is no concealing the fact that English printers and publishers are in a state of mind over the International Copyright bill.

1902.  Violet Jacob, Sheep-Stealers, xiv. Don’t you remember when she went away, what a state you were in and how you raged?

  † d.  Condition of mind or feeling as displayed in one’s manner or behavior. Obs.

13[?].  Bonaventura’s Medit., 391. Þan cryst answered, with mylde state.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, VII. 128. Thai changit contenanss and late, And held nocht in the first stat … For thai var fayis to the kyng.

  3.  The mode of existence of a spiritual being; a particular mode or phase of (spiritual) existence.

  Future state: see FUTURE a. 1 b.

c. 1300.  S. Eng. Leg., 439/275 (Harl. MS.). Of þe pure stat of crist & of his mageste. Ibid., 281. Þe gretteste clerkes … Ne þoȝte þat eni vrþlich man so furforþ miȝte go Ne wite so moche of godes stat bote hit angel were.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., I. 132. Þis aungel … telliþ hem how now Crist is sittynge in hevene, for his staat here in erþe is fulli performed.

a. 1400.  Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS., xxiii. 958. Beo we translated in to blis Of wel better state.

1533.  More, Confut. Tindale, VII. Wks. 720/1. The state of this present life.

1565.  Allen, Def. Purg., xvi. 280. All that passe hense in the happy state of grace.

a. 1667.  [see NATURE sb. 14].

1675.  R. Burthogge, Causa Dei, 61. Is not the State of Hell in Scripture called the Second Death?

1684.  Norris, Poems, etc. 70. Are we affraid of making too nigh advances to the State of Angels?

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, II. (Globe), 443. It is a clear Evidence of God, and of a future State.

a. 1805.  Paley, Serm. Sev. Subj., v. 635/1. Our new bodies will be infinitely superior to those which we carry about with us in our present state.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., lxxxii. 6. From state to state the spirit walks. Ibid., lxxxv. 22. The great Intelligences fair That range above our mortal state.

1883.  [see FUTURE a. 1 b].

1907.  F. Weston, The One Christ, 53. First, the Incarnation involved a state of being that is quite inferior to the divine state.

  4.  Physical condition as regards internal make or constitution, molecular form or structure, and the like. Also, one of several forms or conditions in which an object—animal, vegetable or mineral—is found to exist; a phase or stage of existence.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., 239/701. Þe eyr was euere in o stat, naþur to hot ne to cold.

a. 1300.  Leg. Rood, II. 100. Þo hi were iwoxe to þe lengþe of an elne ich wene In þulke stat hi stode longe and euermore grene.

1340.  Ayenb., 28. Þanne by þe godspelle þet corn heþ þri stas, uor hit is uerst ase ine gerse, efterward ine yere, efterward is uol of frut.

1545.  Elyot, Dict., Amphicyrtos, is the state of the moone, as wel whan he is somwhat increased … as also whan he is in the wane.

1721.  Bradley, Philos. Acc. Wks. Nat., 156. I have found it a little difficult to bring Water and Pepper into a right State of yielding these Insects.

a. 1805.  Paley, Serm. Sev. Subj., v. 634/1. When an animal changes its state, it changes its body.

1815.  J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 243. Water, in the state of vapour.

1823.  Scoresby, Jrnl., 411. I do not consider it different from a dwarf state of V. uliginosum.

1849.  J. F. Wood, Midland Florist, iii. 122. Bulbs in a breeder state throw up stronger and bolder flowers than when in colour.

1859.  Ruskin, Two Paths, iv. § 143. The most perfect and useful state of it [iron] is that of ochreous stain.

1876.  Tait, Rec. Adv. Phys. Sci., ix. 219. Some black body … which may be either in a solid or in a liquid state,—possibly even in the state of extremely compressed gas.

  5.  a. The (or a) state of things or affairs: the way in which events or circumstances stand disposed (at a particular time or within a particular sphere).

  Cf. L. status rerum, in reference to public or political affairs; and quot. 1387 in b.

1555.  Eden, Decades (Arb.), 114. Thalteracion of the state of thynges in Vraba.

1580.  Campion, in Allen, Martyrdom (1908), 21. I thought it good to give you intelligence of the present stat of things here.

1607.  Chapman, Bussy d’Ambois, I. i. 1. Fortune, not Reason, rules the state of things.

1794.  Burke, Corr. (1844), IV. 253. This is an unfortunate state of things; but it is your state, and you must conform to it.

1856.  Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. i. 87. We have seen a state of things in which the principles of political economy were … contradicted.

1871.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., IV. xvii. (1876), 64. In Herefordshire and on the Welsh border the state of things was very unsettled.

  † b.  A dispensation or system of divine government during a particular era. Also, state of things.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, I. 31. Descrypcions of places, states of thynges, distinccion of tymes. Ibid. Touchynge þe secounde take hede of tweie states, oon from þe bygynnynge of þe world to Criste, and is i-cleped þe staat of mysgoynge; the secounde staat from Criste to þe worldes end, and is i-cleped þe state of grace and of mercy.

  † c.  State of time or times: a juncture or posture of affairs. Obs.

1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., IV. iv. 416. Vrge the Necessity and state of times. Ibid. (1596), 1 Hen. IV., IV. i. 25. I would the state of time had first beene whole, Ere he by sicknesse had beene visited.

1662.  Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., II. i. § 5. How can we conceive the Nation of the Jews would have ever embraced such a Law, had it not been of Moses his enacting among them in that state of time when he did?

  d.  The state of the case: the facts and circumstances of a particular affair, question, etc.

1729.  Butler, Serm., Wks. 1850, II. Pref. p. xvii. The taking in this consideration totally changes the whole state of the case.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, xiii. And the real state of the case would never have been known at all in the regiment but for Captain Dobbin’s indiscretion.

a. 1873.  Deutsch, Lit. Rem. (1874), 365. This is the simple state of the case.

  † 6.  With contextual implication: a. Original, proper or normal condition; a sound, healthy, flourishing, prosperous condition. (Cf. ESTATE sb. 1 d.) Chiefly in phrases, as to be (or stand) in state: to be firmly established or flourishing; to be intact; also, to remain ‘in statu quo.’ To bring in, to (one’s) state: to reinstate, restore. To put of, out of state, to deprive of one’s position or status, disinherit, degrade. Obs.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 254. Atte laste þo he in stat was & him þoȝte þat is per in þe world nas.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 9219. Þe Iuues now er put o state, And þair kingrik translate. Ibid., 20958. To halt o ganging gaf he stat.

c. 1320.  Cast. Loue, 1206. Þorw whom þe fend was al mat, And þe world for-bouȝt and brouȝt in stat.

1340–70.  Alex. & Dind., 686. A soþ god … Þat haþ þe stomak in stat stifly to kepe.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, I. 297. Bot wondirly hard thing is fell Till him, or he till state wes brocht.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, III. 165. Þat Tarquinius schulde be brouȝt to his state and in to þe citee aȝen.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, V. 340. He bad thaim se giff that place stud in stait; Tharoff to her he had full gret desyr, Be caus he thocht that it was all in fyr.

1531.  in Archæologia, XLVII. 62. Sharing some dishe from thyn own bord and likewise from thy chanons till tyme thou bring thy said house in state agayne.

1605.  Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. iv. § 1. To scandalize and depraue that which retaineth the state and vertue, by taking aduantage vpon that which is corrupt and degenerate. Ibid., II. xxi. § 2. To preserue in state is the lesse, to preserue with aduancement is the greater.

1638.  Earl Manch., in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 278. Things here rest as yet in state as they were.

  † b.  Fixed or stable condition. Obs.

1597.  Bacon, Coulers Good & Evill, ix, ¶ 1. In the fauours of others or the good windes of fortune we haue no state or certainty, in our endeuours or abilities we haue. Ibid. (1605), Adv. Learn., II. xxi. § 1. If wee mought haue a perpetuity and Certainty in our pleasures, the State of them would aduance their price.

  † 7.  The height or chief stage of a process; the condition of full vigor. Chiefly Path., the crisis or ‘acme’ of disease. Obs. Cf. STATUS 1.

1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 342. To euery disease or malady, belongeth foure seuerall times, that is to say, the beginning, the increasing, the state, and declination.

1656.  Blount, Glossogr., Catastasis, the third part of a Comedy, and signifies the state and full vigour of it.

1656.  Ridgley, Pract. Physick, 257. In the augmentation and the state, Cordials and such things as expel.

1665.  G. Harvey, Adv. agst. Plague, 11. At present it is in the Augment, and likely to attain to a state about the latter end of August.

1717.  J. Keill, Anim. Oecon. (1738), 189. When all the peccant matter is thrown out, the disease generally proceeds to its state without any ill accident.

1913.  Dorland, Med. Dict., State … the crisis or turning-point of an attack of disease.

  † 8.  Existence. To hold state, to continue or persist in being; to hold in state, to maintain in existence. To have state, to consist in (something).

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 314. His sun his wisdom es, þat wat All þinges, þat haldes stat [Gött. For all þe werld he haldis in state].

c. 1440.  Pallad. on Husb., XII. 599. xiij is thridde, and firthe in x hath state.

1447.  Bokenham, Seynts, Magd., 756. If … god also my state so longe, Tyl yt be doon, vouchesaf to prolong.

1615.  Chapman, Odyss., II. 333. If dead I heare him, nor of more state [εἱ δέ τεθνηῶτος άκούσω μηδ᾽ ἔτ᾽ ἐόντος].

  † b.  ? A possibility, possible means. Obs.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 14149. Quen þai sagh þat þar was nanoþer Stat o couering o þair broþer.

  † 9.  Stature, bodily form or contour. Obs. rare. (So L. status, OF. estat in Godefroy.)

1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), III. 223. Þere is no fairenesse of body wheþer it be in state [v.r. staat] of body as in schap of lengþe and brede [sive in statu corporis consistat, sicut est figura], oþer in meouynge as in song, but suche as þe inwitte of man deemeþ.

1538.  Elyot, Dict., Habitus, the fourme or state of the body.

1623.  Fletcher & Rowley, Maid in Mill, V. ii. If’t please ye (Madam) let me see the state of your body; I’ll fit you instantly.

  † b.  A person’s proper form, shape or nature. Obs. rare.

c. 1330.  Arth. & Merl., 2584. Þe king wiþ water þer he wesche, His owhen stat he hadde, ywis.

a. 1550[?].  Freiris Berwik, 475, in Dunbar’s Poems (1893), 301. Him to translait or ellis dissagyiss Fra his awin kynd in-to ane vder stait.

  † 10.  A kind, sort or species. Obs. rare^–1.

a. 1400–50.  Wars Alex., 5646. Þan with stanes of ilka state wall [? read was] þe stoure clustrid.

  b.  Bot. ‘A form or phase of a particular plant’ (Cent. Dict.).

1872.  Tuckerman, Genera Lichenum, 35 (Cent.). Sticta linita … was recognized as occurring in the United States by Delise,… and Dr. Nylander (Syn. p. 353) speaks of a state from Arctic America.

1900.  B. D. Jackson, Gloss. Bot. Terms, State, the most trivial variation from the type.

  11.  Phrases. † a. To hold no state of: to disregard, have no respect for. (Cf. F. faire état de, to set store by.) Obs.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 13584. O godd him semes ha na perti þat haldes of hali-dai na stat.

  † b.  To make state (to do something): to expect (to do), count (on doing). [A mere Gallicism.]

1691.  d’Emiliane’s Frauds Rom. Monks, 56. Telling him, That he was an Abbot accurs’d of God; that Damnation would be his portion, and that all those who lived under his Conduct, might make State to go to Hell with him.

  † c.  In state, later in a state (now in a fit state) followed by infinitive: fit, likely, ready to do or be something. Cf. F. en état (de).

a. 1562.  Ld. Vaux, Instab. Youth, iv. Thou that didst saue the theefe in state to sterue.

1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., I. xv. 16. Hee had twoo faire daughters then beyng in state to be marryed.

1592.  Arden of Feversham, III. vi. 93. Your pretty tale beguiles the weary way; I would you were in state to tell it out.

1776.  Trial of Nundocomar, 23/1. He has not for a long time been in a state able to go out of the house.

1789.  Charlotte Smith, Ethelinde, IV. 192. She had a good deal of fever, and was not in a state to be removed.

1835.  I. Taylor, Spir. Despot., vi. 244. To assume … that the political rulers of the body were still in a state to be spoiled.

1857.  Trollope, Barchester T., xxxiv. He … went on thinking of her till he was almost in a state to drown himself in the little brook.

  † 12.  Rhet. (after L. status). The point in question or debate between contending parties, as it emerges from their pleadings; the issue or main question. In full state of the cause, of the plea. Obs.

c. 1450.  Holland, Howlat, 266. The circumstance and the stait all couth thai argewe.

c. 1530.  Cox, Rhet. (1899), 7. In these [judicial] oracions the fyrste is to fynde out the state of the cause, whiche is a short proposicion conteynynge the hole effect of all the controuersies. Ibid., 72. The state of the plee.

1549.  Latimer, 5th Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 134, margin. The scope or state of the boke, tendes to dysuade the kinge from hys supremycye.

1553.  T. Wilson, Rhet., 47 b. Of the foundacion, or rather principall poincte in euery debated matter, called of the Rhetoricians the State, or constitucion of the Cause. Ibid., 48 b. A State therfore in matters of iudgement is that thyng whiche doeth arise vpon the first demaunde and denial made betwixt men…. I cannot better terme it in Englishe than by the name of an issue.

1609.  R. Barnerd, Faithf. Sheph., 20. The scope or principall intendment of the Holy Ghost in that place; from which scope ariseth the principall proposition, called of Rhetoricians the State, of Lawyers the Issue.

1611.  Cotgr., Estat … the state, head, issue, knot, principall point of a matter in controuersie.

1776.  B. Martin, Bibl. Technol. (ed. 4), 129, margin. The several states of the cause.

  13.  Gram. a. [= mod.L. status.] In the grammar of the Semitic langs., a noun is said to be in the construct state (or state of construction) when it governs a following genitive, and in the absolute state when it does not; the two ‘states’ being usually distinguished flexionally. In Aramaic grammar, a noun is in the emphatic (or, in some recent books, the definite) state when it has the suffix which originally served the purpose of a definite article, but in Syriac became unmeaning.

1752.  P. Petit, Hebr. Guide, View Chaldaic, 4. Nouns in an absolute state are sometimes found in the construct form, and vice versa, as in Hebrew.

1837.  G. Phillips, Syriac Gram., 24. To the absolute and constructive state of nouns, which the Hebrews have, the Syrians add a third, the Definite.

1853.  P. H. Mason & Bernard, Hebr. Gram., I. 100. A Noun in the State of Construction.

1874.  A. B. Davidson, Introd. Hebr. Gram., 35.

  † b.  By some English grammarians of the 18th c., foregoing or leading state and following state were used for the nominative and objective cases, respectively, the term case being regarded as inapplicable to English. Obs.

1711.  J. Greenwood, Ess. Pract. Eng. Gram., 104. The Pronouns have a twofold State…. The first State we shall call the Foregoing State, as I, We; the second State we shall call the following State, as Me, Us.

1809.  Lindley Murray Examined, 5. What has, for ages, been called the nominative case, is by one Grammarian called the leading state.

  c.  Positive state is used by Lindley Murray for ‘positive degree.’

1800.  L. Murray, Engl. Gram. (ed. 6), 48.

  14.  Engraving. An impression taken from a plate at a particular stage of its progress and recognizable by special marks.

1874.  Ruskin, Stones Venice, I. Pref. p. ix. The present edition … containing the best states of the old plates now procurable.

1899.  E. F. Benson, Mammon & Co., vii. 97. Mrs. Siddons was a first state with the coveted blotted edge.

  II.  Status; high rank; pomp.

  † 15.  A person’s condition or position in life; a person’s natural, social or legal status, profession or calling, rank or degree. Obs.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., 98/212. Þench op-on þi noble stat, of alle Maidenes þov art flour.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 1679. Ȝyf … þou art yn state of prest. Ibid. (c. 1330), Chron. Wace (Rolls), 11202. Wyþ hym, of Rome cam þe legat; And oþer bischopes of mener stat.

1399.  Langl., Rich. Redeles, III. 174. Ȝit blame I no burne to be, as him ouȝte, In comliche cloþinge as his statt axith.

1450.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 211/2. Any persone, beyng under state of Lorde.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, VI. 588. Quha best did than, he had the heast stait.

1538.  Starkey, England, 55. What so euer state, offyce, or degre, any man be of.

1549.  Bk. Comm. Prayer, Catechism, To doe my duetie in that state of life: vnto which it shal please God to cal me.

1601.  Barlow, Serm. Paules Crosse, 35. Could he … haue beene contented with his great state.

a. 1616.  Beaumont, To B. Jonson. ’Tis that which keeps our minds fit for our states.

1630.  Pagitt, Christianogr., I. ii. (1636), 85. He … freed these Indians from slaverie and gave them the state of free men.

1741.  Kames, Decis. Crt. Sess. 1730–52 (1799), 37. Having died in the state of apparency.

  † b.  A person’s condition or status as determined by his years. Man’s state = manhood; cf. ESTATE sb. 1 b and L. phr. ad statum suum pervenire.

c. 1315.  Shoreham, Poems, I. 15. And hondred winter ȝef a leueþe, Þat his lyf mid þe lengeste. Onneþe creft eny þat stat.

1460–70.  Bk. Quintessence, 15. Wiþinne a fewe dayes he schal so hool þat he schal fele him silf of þe statt and þe strenkþe of xl ȝeer; and he schal haue greet ioie þat he is come to þe statt of ȝongþe.

c. 1475.  Henryson, Poems, III. 108. The state of youth I repute for na gude, For in that state sik perilis now I see.

1553.  T. Wilson, Rhet., 118. When they come to mans state.

1579–80.  North, Plutarch, Theseus (1595), 3. The yong men after their … growth to mans state.

  c.  Condition or status as married or single.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 184. And to þes þree ben þre oþere, comyn and leeful bi Goddis lawe—state of virgyns, and state of wedloke, and þe state of widewis.

1712.  Steele, Tatler, No. 278, ¶ 2. When I enter into a married State.

1812, 1836.  [see SINGLE a. 8 b].

  † 16.  contextually. A high rank or exalted position; an office of power or importance. Obs.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., 133/920. He … wole … bi-nime þe þi stat and perantur bringue þe out of londe.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1261. Þer vore ich bidde þat ich mowe mi stat holde þoru þe.

1338.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 73. Þe archbisshop Stigand, of Inglond primate, Þat tyme was suspended, þe pape reft him þe state.

1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 260. And thus the man and noght the stat The Frensche schopen be her miht To grieve.

1544.  Betham, Precepts War, II. xvi. K iij. That fault is augmented by the state and honour of the capitayne.

a. 1586.  Sidney, Arcadia, IV. (1598), 401. The Queene, to whom besides the obedient duetie they ow’de to her state, they had alwayes caried a singular loue.

1605.  Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. To the King § 1. The businesse of your Crowne and State.

1622.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Thief, Wks. (1630), II. 117/2. And many a mitred Pope and Cardinall This way haue got their state Pontificall.

1642.  D. Rogers, Naaman, 29. Forgetting his state, and being at the curtesie of the Prophet for his cure.

  † b.  In generalized sense: High rank, greatness, power. Obs.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 9099. Prinses, That most were of might & of mayn state.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, X. 274. We will nocht stryff for stayt.

c. 1590.  Greene, Fr. Bacon, V. iii. 2027. Great Potentates, earths miracles for state.

c. 1590.  Marlowe, Faustus, Chorus 4. In courts of Kings where state is ouerturnd.

1608.  Chapman, Byron’s Consp., IV. i. 114. You make all state before Utterly obsolete.

1630.  Wadsworth, Pres. Estate Spain, 33. Don Alphonso … did Conquer Toledo,… and was the first King that established this Arch-Bishoprick, in this great state and estate.

c. 1640.  Shirley, Cont. Ajax & Ulysses (1659), 127. The glories of our blood and state.

  † c.  To bear (great) state, to hold (high) office; fig. (of a thing), to be of importance, involve great consequences. Obs.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 6949. Bot quen aaron was ded, þe priste, His sun eliazar was neist, And bar state of his fader-hade.

a. 1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., I. 883. Emperour, kyng, duke, no caysere, Ne other þat bers grete state here.

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., II. iv. 213. The question did at first so stagger me, Bearing a State of mighty moment in’t, And consequence of dread.

  † d.  Man of state: one of high rank or dignity. Cf. ESTATE sb. 3. Obs.

13[?].  Guy Warw. (1891), 420. A man y was of state sum stounde, & holden a lord of gret mounde.

1338.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 258. Sir Hugh was man of state, he said as I salle rede.

1582.  Stanyhurst, Æneis, etc. (Arb.), 129. Thee Prophet layeth downe an exhortation too theese men of state.

  17.  Costly and imposing display, such as befits persons of rank and wealth; splendor, magnificence (in manner of life, clothing, furniture, buildings, retinue, etc.); ‘solemn pomp, appearance of greatness’ (J.).

c. 1330.  Amis & Amil., 1906. That riche douke … As a prince serued he wes, With riche coupes of gold: And that brought him to that state Stode bischet, withouten the gate, Wel sore of-hungred and cold.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (Roxb.), vi. 22. Of his state and magestee I think to speke alterwardes.

1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., V. i. 95. A substitute shines brightly as a King Vntill a King be by, and then his state Empties it selfe, as doth an inland brooke Into the maine of waters.

1616–7.  in Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1848), I. 466. Our new lord keeper goes with great state, having a world of followers put upon him.

1625.  Bacon, Ess., Masques (Arb.), 540. Double Masques, one of Men, another of Ladies, addeth State, and Variety.

1639.  Fuller, Holy War, IV. viii. (1640), 182. Richard fortified Askelon…, not onely to strength but state, with marble pillars and statues. Ibid. (a. 1661), Worthies, Gen. ix. 24. The Brasen-Andirons stand only for state, to entertain the Eyes.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 22 July 1670. It does onely well in very small and trifling roomes, but takes from the state of greater.

1725.  Pope, Odyss., VI. 46. In pomp ride forth; for pomp becomes the great, And Majesty derives a grace from State.

1728.  Law, Serious Call, ii. (1732), 20. Or remove him from a shop, to a life of state and pleasure.

1756–7.  trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), IV. 468. The former duke … had fifty gentlemen of the bed-chamber; however that state could not have been kept up, had the salaries been on the same extravagant footing as in other courts.

1842.  Tennyson, Ld. of Burleigh, 32. Ancient homes of lord and lady, Built for pleasure and for state.

1848.  Dickens, Dombey, iii. It was a house of dismal state.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 354. The gilded coach, indeed, which is now annually admired by the crowd, was not yet a part of his state.

1915.  Eng. Hist. Rev., Jan., 168. The royal vault where he [Charles I.] had been laid with so little state after his execution.

  b.  Phr. of state; as in bed or chair of state. Otherwise expressed by the attributive use (see 39); thus bed, rooms of state are = state-bed, state-rooms.

1503.  Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., II. 213. The Quenis gret bed of stait.

1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., I. i. 51. My Lords, looke where the sturdie Rebell sits, Euen in the Chayre of State.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 1. High on a Throne of Royal State.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 16 Oct. 1671. The chambers and roomes of state.

1786.  Abigail Adams, Lett. (1848), 296. Here, upon superb bed of state, lay the remains of his Grace.

1865.  Kingsley, Herew., xiv. The queen-countess sat in her chair of state in the midst.

1903.  A. Smellie, Men of Covenant, xix. 222. He rode in his carriage of state, drawn by six horses.

  transf.  1579.  Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Feb., 146. And his trees of state in compasse rownd.

  c.  In state: with great pomp and solemnity; with a great train; with splendid or honorific trappings and insignia.

  To lie in state: of a dead body, to be ceremoniously exposed to view before interment.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. iv. 70. And in this state she gallops night by night.

1687.  A. Lovell, trans. Thevenot’s Trav., I. 86. The Grand Signior … resolved to go through the City in State.

1700.  T. Brown, Amusem. Ser. & Com., 93. See a Consult of themn marching in State to a Patient.

1705.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4096/2. Her Majesty is to lie in State at Hanover.

1847.  C. Brontë, Jane Eyre, ii. It was in this chamber he breathed his last; here he lay in state.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., i. I. 76. Abroad the ambassadors of Elizabeth and James went in state to the very worship which Elizabeth and James persecuted at home.

1883.  J. Gilmour, Mongols, xxiv. 295. Lamas in state coming to the temple.

  18.  Dignity of demeanor or presence; dignified appearance, stateliness of bearing. Now rare.

a. 1586.  Sidney, Astroph. & Stella, Song I. ii. Who hath the eyes which marrie state with pleasure!

1609.  B. Jonson, Epicœne, II. i. This is not, onely, fit modestie in a Seruant, but good state, and discretion in a Master.

1642.  Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., III. vi. 164. True, there is a state sometimes in decent plainnesse.

1754.  Gray, Progr. Poesy, 39. In gliding state she wins her easy way.

1763.  Churchill, Poems, Night, 141. How many from appearance borrow state.

1808.  Scott, Marmion, V. xxxi. The Abbess, seeing strife was vain, Assumed her wonted state again—For much of state she had.

1822.  Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. Dream-Children. A great sulky pike hanging mid-way down the water in silent state.

1875.  Swinburne, Ess. & Stud., 356. A sketch of Lucrezia seated with legs bare, perfect in shapeliness and state.

  † b.  Dignified observance of form or ceremony.

1604.  E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, VI. xii. 455. They observed one custome very great & full of state.

1642.  Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., I. vii. 17. The lion out of state will not run whilst any one looks upon him. Ibid. (1654), Two Serm., 52. He [God] reciteth downe mens Actions, not out of any necessitie to helpe himselfe to remember them; but partly out of State (as Ioseph made use of an Interpreter though understanding his Brothers language).

1671.  trans. Frejus’ Voy. Mauritania, 82. Although the King very well understood the interpretation of my Discourse given by Jacob Pariente, nevertheless, as a piece of State, Cheq Amar … repeated unto him the words.

  19.  Phrases. a. To keep state, one’s state: to observe the pomp and ceremony befitting a high position; to keep one’s dignity, behave in a dignified manner. Now rare.

1599.  B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., II. iii. The woorst in her is want of keeping state, and to much descending into inferior and base offices.

1601.  Shaks., Jul. C., I. ii. 160. There was a Brutus once, that would haue brook’d Th’ eternall Diuell to keepe his State in Rome, As easily as a King.

1625.  B. Jonson, Staple of N., III. i. Keep your state, stoupe only to the Infanta.

1652.  Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 82. Andronicus Palæologus, one that kept the State of an Emperor.

1818.  Scott, Br. Lamm., xviii. But keep your ain state wi’ them … they will think the mair o’ ye.

1847.  Tennyson, Princess, III. 213. O Vashti, noble Vashti! Summon’d out She kept her state.

  † b.  To take state upon one: to assume an appearance of grandeur or dignity; to affect superiority, give oneself airs; to be reserved and haughty. Obs.

1608.  Dod & Cleaver, Expos. Prov. ix.–x. 37. And yet she goeth not as an ordinarie strumpet,… but taketh state upon her like a courtizan.

1611.  Cotgr., s.v. Haultain, Faire le haultain, to be high in th’ instup,… take state vpon him.

a. 1635.  Sibbes, Breathing after God (1639), 27–8. It is the nature of excellent things, except we desire them in the chiefe place, they take state upon them.

1660.  F. Brooke, trans. Le Blanc’s Trav., 29. A Portuguais, who took state upon him, his man still carrying after him a guilt sword.

1767.  Woman of Fashion, II. 43. Now the pretty Fool takes State upon her, forsooth.

  6.  To hold one’s state, to appear in pomp and splendor. arch. or Obs.

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., V. ii. 24. The high promotion of his Grace of Canterbury, Who holds his State at dore ’mongst Purseuants, Pages, and Foot-boyes.

a. 1806.  H. K. White, To Morning, v. The mists which on old Night await, Far to the west they hold their state.

1861.  ‘F. G. Trafford’ (Mrs. Riddell), City & Suburb, I. iv. 67. The Earls of Oxford had once held state [there].

  † 20.  A raised chair with a canopy, etc.; a throne; = chair of state in 17 b. (Cf. ESTATE sb. 4 d.) Obs.

1421.  Order of Guests, in Q. Eliz. Acad., 89. The kyng off Scottes yn A State.

c. 1435.  Torr. Portugal, 1729. In to a state they hym brought.

1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., II. iv. 416. This Chayre shall bee my State.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 4 May 1645. The Pope, sitting on an elevated state or throne.

1712.  Arbuthnot, John Bull, III. i. 7. As she affected not the Grandeur of a State with a Canopy, she thought there was no Offence in an Elbow-Chair.

  † b.  A canopy. Obs.

a. 1626.  Bacon, New Atl., 19. Over the Chair is a state made round or oval.

1648.  Herrick, Hesper. Parl. Roses. Over the which a State was drawne Of Tiffanie, or Cob-web Lawne.

1656.  Harrington, Oceana (1700), 121. At the upper end hangs a rich State overshadowing the greater part of a large Throne.

1667.  Milton, P. L., X. 445. Ascended his high Throne, which under state Of richest texture spred, at th’ upper end Was plac’t in regal lustre.

1828.  Scott, F. M. Perth, ix. The King had moved … to the cushioned chair, which, under a state or canopy, stood prepared for his accommodation.

  III.  A class, rank; a person of rank.

  † 21.  A class, rank, order, sort or body of persons; a ‘condition,’ profession or occupation; the members of a class or profession collectively. Cf. ESTATE sb. 5 and F. état. Obs.

1340.  Ayenb., 122. Alsuo ase ine heuene heþ þri stages of uolke … In þo manere … heþ he þri states of godes zone ine erþe.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 25. Generaly ypocrisie regneþ among alle statis of cristen men.

c. 1425.  Cast. Persev., 3616. Lytyl & mekyl, þe more & þe les, all þe statis of þe werld is at myn renoun.

a. 1568.  A. Scott, Poems, i. 170. Caus everye stait to þair vocatioun go.

1589.  Whip for Ape, A 2.

1596.  Shirburn Ballads, lx. 3. They comforted our ould men; they spared our feeble women; noe state they did abuse.

1625.  Bacon, Ess., Greatness Kingd. (Arb.), 477. Neither is that State [illa pars populi] … to be passed ouer; I meane the State of Free Seruants and Attendants vpon Noblemen and Gentlemen.

  † 22.  An order or class of persons regarded as part of the body politic and as participating in the government; an ESTATE of the realm. Obs.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 184. Þer ben in þe Chirche þre statis þat God haþe ordeyned; state of prestis, and state of knyȝtis, and þe þridd is staat of comunys.

1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 379. Ther ys no staat in his degree That noughte to desire pes.

1399.  Rolls of Parlt., III. 451. Salvation and seurete of other States of the Reaume.

c. 1450.  Holland, Howlat, 283. So that the Spirituale staite, And the secular consait, Mycht all gang in a gait.

1553.  Q. Jane, in Strype, Eccl. Mem. (1721), III. App. ii. 4. This our most lawful Possession of the Crown, with the free Consent of the Nobility of our Realm and other the States of the same.

1562.  Winȝet, Wks., I. 5. The maist part of vs of the Eclesiasticall Stait.

1625.  Bacon, Ess., Empire (Arb.), 305. For their Prelates;… The danger is not from that State, but where it hath a dependance of forraine Authority.

1641.  W. Hakewill, Libertie Subj., 25. In full assembly of the three States.

1667–84.  E. Chamberlayne, Pres St. Eng., I. 241. All the subjects of England are divided into Clergy and Laity, the Laity subdivided into Nobility and Commonalty. These are called Ordines Regni, or the Three States.

1689.  Acts Parlt. Scotl. (1875), XII. 71/1. The vote þen stated whither ane or more of every state should be sent with the offer of the Crown and carried for one of every state.

1700.  Sir D. Hume, Diary Parl. Scot. (Bannatyne Club), 3. Proceeded to chuse 9 of every State for the Committee of Security.

  23.  pl. (= F. états, Du. staaten, etc.) The ‘estates of the realm’ met to form a constitutional assembly; the princes, dukes, nobles, etc., together with the delegates or representatives of the several ranks, orders, chief cities, etc., of a country, assembled in a parliament or diet; e.g., in the United Netherlands (and the several provinces), France before the Revolution, Scotland before the Union, the Holy Roman Empire (and its several members), Hungary, Poland. Now only Hist., exc. as the title of the legislatures of Jersey and Guernsey. See also ESTATE sb. 6 b and STATES GENERAL.

  In 16–17th c. ‘the States’ often means: the men at the head of affairs in the United Netherlands; the Dutch government as a European power.

1399.  Rolls of Parlt., III. 451/2. Byfore the Kyng and all the States in this present Parlement.

1562.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 109. Letters wrytten to the states of the Empyre. Ibid., 183 b. The .XXI. day of July the Princes and states [principes ac ordines] all go to themperoure.

1560.  Gresham, in Burgon, Life (1839), I. 298. They say playne here, that the States of the lande [the Low Countries] will never consent to have war with Ingland.

1578.  Cecil Papers (Hist. MSS. Comm.), II. 180. To remembre unto the States [sc. of the Netherlands] what aydes the Queen’s Majesty hath alredy gyven them.

1587.  Acts Privy Counc. (N.S.), XIV. 306. An agreement made between the Erle of Leycester and the Deputies of the States of the United Provinces.

1618.  in Falle’s Jersey (1694), 194. There shall be no Assembly of the States without the consent of the Governor.

1670.  R. Coke, Disc. Trade, 2. Who are the Dutch States? They who govern Trade in the United Netherlands.

a. 1674.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., XII. § 23. The States, especially those of Holland, let fall somewhat every day in their councils and consultations, that the King’s residing in the Hague would be very inconvenient to them.

1682.  Warburton, Hist. Guernsey (1822), 77. The assembly of the States is composed of the bailiff and jurats, the ministers of each parish, and the constables, who represent the rest of the inhabitants of their parish.

1768.  Sterne, Sent. Journ. (1778), II. 55. (The Sword) When the states were assembled at Rennes.

1792.  A. Young, Trav. France, 105. To … appeal to the King to dissolve the states.

1804.  M. Laing, Hist. Scot., III. 437, note. Had the committee of states [in Scotland, 1650] known the extent of the conspiracy, or the design of seizing themselves, it is not probable that they would have so easily forgiven the Start.

1828.  Tytler, Hist. Scot., I. 68. The States of Scotland undertook, before receiving their queen, to find security to the King of England, that the said lady should not marry without his counsel and consent.

1844.  Ld. Brougham, Brit. Const., iii. (1862), 54. The French States at no time attained the regularity of the English Parliament.

1845.  Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., I. 133. The States of the empire gradually assembled in Lindau.

1862.  Ansted, Channel Isl., IV. xxiii. 526. In Jersey, besides the Royal Court, there is only one Assembly. It is called the States…. In Guernsey,… the States consist of two bodies, one called the Elective and the other the Deliberative States.

1915.  F. M. Hueffer, When Blood Is Argt., I. ii. 25. The Elector Frederick William III in 1701, in an assembly of the States, was accorded the title of King in Prussia.

  † b.  Delegates or members of the Dutch government as individuals. (Cf. 24, 25.) Obs.

1599.  Sir R. Williams, Disc. Warre, 55. Although our Inasters the States be for the most part honest and vertuous personages.

1607.  J. Chamberlain, in Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1848), I. 68. The States took their leave yesterday, and shall be presented with chains of five or six hundred crowns a-piece.

1618.  Sir D. Carleton, Lett. (1775), 259. For his adjuncts … he will have four of the states, whereof two shall be of Holland,… one of Zealand, and one of Friesland.

1653.  in Nicholas Papers (Camden), II. 8. I have spoken with several of the States here touching their expediting an Ambassador into Germany.

1705.  Dunton, Life & Errors (1818), I. 149. When there is any Synod called, two of the States are always present, to watch them that they may not meddle with the Government; and if the Clergy do but drop a word that has any reference that way, the States immediately cry, ‘Ho, la, Miin Heeren Predicanten!’

1708.  Sewel, Du.-Eng. Dict., Staat..., One of the States, a Representative of the Country.

1767.  S. Paterson, Another Trav., I. 103. [Public canal-barge from Ostend to Bruges]. The cabin in the stern is always reserved for the states of the province and is therefore called the States-cabin.

  † 24.  A person of standing, importance or high rank; a great man, personage, dignitary; a noble, lord, prince. (Cf. ESTATE sb. 3 c.) Obs.

1400.  Beryn, 404. The statis þat wer a-bove bad of þe feyrest endreyte.

c. 1400.  Song of Roland, 22. With-in xvj. days thedur he wille hym hye, and all the hethyn statis in his company.

a. 1450.  Cov. Myst., 384. Owre worthy prynsis,… That are statis of this lond, hye men of degre.

c. 1490.  Caxton, Rule St. Benet, 126. Yf we shulde make ony suggestion to a state temporall, we wolde not presume to doo it but with mekenes & reuerence.

1509.  Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1570), 19. Some thinkes him selfe a gentleman or state Though he a knaue, caitiff, and bonde churle be.

1535.  Stewart, Cron. Scot., I. 69. The grittest stait that wes in all that stound, In his bodie buir mony deidlie wound.

1549.  Latimer, 4th Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 126. Thys fayth is a great state, a Ladye, a Dutches.

1562.  J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 192. In sommer when states sit from fire in the coole.

c. 1620.  Massinger, Unnat. Combat, III. i. Our great Admirall With other States, being invited ghests.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 387. The bold design Pleas’d highly those infernal States.

  † 25.  pl. The magnates, dignitaries or authorities of a town or district. Obs.

1421.  Coventry Leet Bk., 35. To the reuerent and wurschipfull states that her byn, and to all wurthy men of this grett Lete.

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., i. 3. When þe Meyre and þe statys sawe þis doyng.

c. 1450.  Reg. Godstow Nunnery, 659. To all statis and to the baillifs of Gloucestre.

1517.  in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 397. After the election of the Maior a Michalmas daye … all the stattes and worship[f]ull shall ffolowe the Mayor to his doore.

1609.  Holland, Amm. Marcell., XXVII. vi. 315. He had given commandement that the States [marg. or principall Burgesses Ordines, or Senators] of three townes should be massacred.

  † 26.  collect. sing. a. The rulers, nobles, or great men of a realm; the government, ruling body, grand council, or court. Obs.

1581.  A. Hall, Iliad, IV. 64. I know ere long Troy shal to wracke, & Priam with his state Shal passe the sword.

1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., V. ii. 142. Our Coronation done, we will accite … all our State. Ibid. (1604), Oth., I. ii. 96. The Duke himselfe, or any of my Brothers of the State. Ibid. (1606), Tr. & Cr., IV. ii. 69. Troy. Is it concluded so? Æne. By Priam, and the generall state of Troy. They are at hand, and ready to effect it.

1612.  Bacon, Ess., Judicature (Arb.), 458. It is an happy thing in a State, when Kings and States doe often consult with Iudges; and againe, when Iudges doe often consult with the King and State.

1617.  Moryson, Itin., II. 8. That Kingdome was … peaceable and quiet, (so as any the greatest Lord called by letter or messenger, readily came to the State there…). Ibid., 12. Sir Henrie Bagnoll, Marshall of Ireland, had formerly exhibited to the State diuers articles of treason practised by the Earle of Tyrone, who now would not come to the State without a protection.

  † b.  The governing body of a town; the city magnates collectively. (Cf. sense 25.) Obs.

1516.  in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 396. Every of the statte of this town, when they are warnid to come to the courte-housse, shall sit every man acording his degre and callinge.

1575.  in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford (1880), 377. Dysobedyens w^ch they have commytted agaynst Mr. Mayor and the state of thys Cytie.

1582.  Burgh Rec., in Campbell, Kirk & Par. Kirkcaldy (1904), 63. Yat ye kirk dykes be putt upe and keepit at ye syt of ye steat and ye assemblie.

c. 1648–50.  Brathwait, Barnabees Jrnl., III. (1818), 143. Thence to Kendall, pure her state is, Prudent too her magistrate is.

  IV.  ‘Common weal’; commonwealth, polity.

  † 27.  The condition of the Church, a country, realm, etc., in regard to its welfare and polity. Sometimes, a condition of prosperity, of order and settled government. Obs. with any specific force.

  So L. status rei publicæ, status civitatis, status ecclesiæ.

c. 1290.  S. Eng. Leg., 280/92, 93. He þouȝte þat þe stat of holi churche swuyþe i-febled were And þat cristine-dom in Manie studes in riȝt guod stat it nere.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 10080. Þo þe king adde normandie in god stat ibrouȝt al.

c. 1375.  Lay Folks Mass Bk., 361. Lord, þenk on þo state of holy kirk.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), V. 199. Þis Gracianus, whan he sigh þat þe staat of þe empere was almost afalle [L. statum rei publicae paene collapsum].

1389.  in Eng. Gilds (1870), 71. Yei shul haue ye preyurs for ye pees and ye state of holy chirche.

c. 1450.  Mirk’s Festial, 11. And also ȝe schull pray for þe state of all holy chyrch.

c. 1450.  Reg. Godstow Nunnery, 535. For the helth of the sowles of her lord Geffrey … and her, and for the state of the kyngdome of Englond.

c. 1460.  Oseney Reg., 25. For þe state and welefare of all þe realme.

1549.  Bk. Com. Prayer, Commun., 127 b. Let us praie for the whole state of Christes churche.

1573.  Reg. Privy Council Scot., II. 271. And sall do nor attempt na thing … aganis the stait of the Christiane religioun publictlie precheit and establishit within this realme.

1587.  R. Crompton, Short Decl. End Traytors, E ij. Y^e great benefits & profittes which growe by y^e same [sc. law and justice] to the Common wealth & state of euerie kingdome.

1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., IV. i. 225. These grieuous Crymes, Committed by your Person, and your followers, Against the State, and Profit of this Land.

1594.  Kyd, Cornelia, Argt., Caesar (after he had ordred the affayres of Egipt and the state of Rome).

a. 1600.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., VIII. vi. § 8. As now the state of the Church doth stand.

1651.  Hobbes, Leviathan, IV. xlv. 365. He [Romulus] would be propitious to the State of their new City.

  † 28.  A particular form of polity or government. The state, the form of government and constitution established in a country; e.g., the popular state, democracy (cf. F. état populaire). State royal: a monarchy. Obs.

1538.  Starkey, England, 56. Ther ys the veray and true commyn wele; ther ys the most prosperouse and perfayt state, that in any cuntrey, cyte, or towne, by pollycy and wysdom, may be stablyschyd and set. Ibid., 67. They … dow not only saue other wych be vnder the same gouernaunce and state, but also themselfe.

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia (1895), 13. (title), A fruteful and pleasaunt worke of the beste state of a publyque weale.

1555.  Ridley, Err. Transubst. (1556), 55. Yt beganne to subuerte Christes gospell, and to turne the state that Christ and his Apostles sett in the church, vpside down.

1630.  Lennard, trans. Charron’s Wisd., I. xviii. (1670), 66. We may compare man to a Commonweal, and the state of the soul to a state-royal.

a. 1680.  Butler, Char., Republican (1908), 24. And therefore ’tis probable, the State of Venice would be no more the same in any other Country, if introduced, than their Trade of Glass-making.

1701.  Swift, Contests Nobles & Commons, ii. Misc. (1711), 19. Theseus is the first who is Recorded … to have establish’d the Popular State in Athens.

  † b.  A republic, non-monarchical commonwealth. Obs.

1656.  Waller, To Evelyn, 2. Lucretius, with a stork-like fate, Born and translated in a State, Comes to proclaim in English verse No Monarch rules the universe.

1651.  Hobbes, Leviathan, IV. xlv. 365. When Augustus Cæsar changed the State into a Monarchy.

1673.  Dryden, Amboyna, Prol. 22. Well, Monarchys may own Religions name, But States are Atheists in their very frame.

  † c.  transf. Applied to a University. Obs.

c. 1590.  Greene, Fr. Bacon, I. ii. 177. Now Maisters of our Academicke State, That rule in Oxford Vizroies in your place.

  29.  The state: the body politic as organized for supreme civil rule and government; the political organization that is the basis of civil government (either generally and abstractly, or in a particular country); hence, the supreme civil power and government vested in a country or nation.

1538.  Starkey, England, 48. The kyng, prynce, and rular of the state…. The gouernance of the commynalty and polytyke state…. He or they wych haue authoryte apon the hole state. Ibid., 53. Whether the state of the commynalty be gouernyd by a prynce, by certayn wyse men, or by the hole multytude.

1590.  in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ., V. 179. For the better understanding of the trewthe of matters agenst her Maiestie and the Stayte.

1594.  [see PILLAR sb. 3 b].

1617.  Moryson, Itin., II. 17. Which may concerne the good of the State.

a. 1618.  Raleigh, Rem. (1644), 2. State is the frame or set order of a Common-wealth, or of the Governours that rule the same, especially of the chief and Sovereign Governour that commandeth the rest. The State or Sovereignty consisteth in five points. 1. Making or annulling of Laws.

1622.  Bacon, Hen. VII., 8. As one that hauing beene somtimes an Enimie to the whole State, and a Proscribed person.

1681.  Dryden, Abs. & Achit., I. 174. Resolv’d to Ruine or to Rule the State. Ibid. (1697), Virg. Georg., IV. 229. All is the State’s, the State provides for all.

1834.  Arnold, in Stanley, Life (1844), I. vii. 376. The State, being the only power sovereign over human life, has for its legitimate object the happiness of its people.

1879.  M. Arnold, Democracy, Mixed Ess. 42. The State is properly … the nation in its collective and corporate capacity.

1884.  Spencer (title), The Man versus the State.

1891.  C. Lowe, in 19th Cent., Dec., 858. The railways … in Prussia are now all in the hands of the State.

  fig.  1598.  Shaks., Merry W., V. v. 245. In Loue, the heavens themselues do guide the state.

  b.  distinguished from ‘the church’ or ecclesiastical organization and authority. In the phr. church and state the article is dropped.

1589.  Whip for Ape, A 3 b.

1650.  in Sir J. Balfour’s Ann. (1825), IV. 146. At last, quhen nather kirke nor staite did giue ther concurrence therin, he deserted the counsailles of the kingdome.

a. 1674.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., XII. § 27. To preserve and maintain the government of Church and State in that kingdom as it is established by the laws thereof.

1761.  Gray, Sketch, 6. He … left Church and State to Charles Townshend and Squire.

1844.  Lingard, Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858), I. ii. 91. In addition to the rank and rights which the bishop held in the church, he also derived … important privileges from the state.

1864.  Tennyson, North. Farmer, Old Style, iv. I hallus voäted wi’ Squoire an’ choorch an’ staäte.

  30.  A body of people occupying a defined territory and organized under a sovereign government. Hence occas. the territory occupied by such a body.

1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 760. Such a pestilent Serpent is ambition,… which among states where he once entereth, creepeth so farre forth, till with diuision and variaunce he turneth all to mischiefe.

1587.  R. Crompton, Short Decl. End Traytors, E ij. For there is no Common wealth, state, or societie of man kind, that can continue, where there is not superiority or preheminence in gouernment.

1625.  Bacon, Ess., Greatness Kingd. (Arb.), 481. Never any State was … so open to receive Strangers, into their Body, as were the Romans.

1673.  Temple, Observ. United Prov., ii. 75. Each of these Provinces is likewise composed of many little States or Cities, which have several marks of Soveraign Power within themselves, and are not subject to the Soveraignty of their Province.

1705.  Addison, Italy, Pref. Lassels may be useful in giving us the Names of such Writers as haue treated of the seueral States through which he pass’d.

1769.  Robertson, Chas. V., V. iii. Wks. 1851, III. 523. The Italian states were no less desirous of peace than the pope.

1781.  Sir W. Jones, Ode in Imit. Alcæus, 1. What constitutes a State?

1841.  W. Spalding, Italy & It. Isl., III. 351. The state of Parma, formed of the three duchies of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla, is divided into five provinces.

1844.  H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, II. 458. Those compacts which had been formed by the English,… with the independent native States.

1880.  Encycl. Brit., XIII. 190/2. The theory of international law contemplates the world as divided into independent states…. States are sovereign within their own territories, independent of other states, and equal as between themselves.

  ¶ b.  Used (from similarity of sound) to render G. stadt, city.

1800.  Coleridge, Death Wallenstein, III. vii. 69. Say, shall we have the State illuminated in honour of the Swede?

  31.  a. The territory, or one of the territories, ruled by a particular sovereign. Hereditary states: spec. (= G. Erbstaaten) the kingdoms or principalities held hereditarily by any head of the Holy Roman Empire.

1602.  Chettle, Hoffman, IV. (1631), H 4. Since neyther Ferdinand, nor Saxony, Haue any heires, to sway their seuerall states; Ile work what lies in me to make thee Duke.

1845.  Sarah Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., I. 89. The emperor was driven out of his hereditary states, and wandered about the other parts of the empire as a fugitive.

  b.  pl. (Hist.) Applied (? alter It. stati) to the cities and territories included in an Italian principality or republic, esp. the grand-duchy of Tuscany and the republic of Venice. Also in States of the Church, Papal States (also sing.), titles of the former temporal dominions in Italy of the Holy See.

1797.  Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), XV. 381/1. Pope’s Dominions, or Ecclesiastical States, a country of Italy, bounded on the north by the gulph of Venice [etc.].

1828.  [H. Best], Italy as it is, 357. Less persecution has taken place in the States of the Church than in any other state.

1831.  J. Conder, Italy, I. 19–20, note. The states of Parma consist of the dutchy of that name and the territories of Placentia and Guastalla.

1840.  Penny Cycl., XVII. 195. Papal State, Stato Pontificio, called also stato della Chiesa.

1851.  Mrs. Browning, Casa Guidi Wind., I. 1062. Which … our Florence in her prime Turned boldly on all comers to her states.

1857.  J. Bright, in G. M. Trevelyan, Life (1913), 257. I would rather spend three months in the United States of America than in the States of the Church.

  c.  One of a number of polities, each more or less sovereign and independent in regard to internal affairs, which together make up a supreme federal government; as in the modern German Empire, the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Australia.

1774.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1892), I. 420. A proper device (instead of arms) for the American states united would be the Father presenting the bundle of rods to his son.

1776.  Abigail Adams, in Fam. Lett. (1876), 204. Thus ends royal authority in this State [Massachusetts].

1777.  A. Hamilton, Wks. (1886), VII. 487. A treaty … between the Court of France and The States of America.

1816.  Wheaton, Cases Supreme Crt. U.S., I. 91. A citizen of a territory cannot sue a citizen of a state, in the courts of the United States.

1851.  Dixon, W. Penn, xxi. (1872), 183. This colony was the beginning of a state.

1901.  G. S. Fort, in Empire Rev., I. 443. The governors of Australian colonies, or states as they are now called, do not observe quite the same ceremonial as the Viceroys of India, Canada and Ireland..

  d.  The States: the United States of America.

1777.  J. Adams, in Fam. Lett. (1876), 301. The enemy are in possession of the Head of Elk,… in which they found a quantity of corn and oats belonging to the States.

1856.  Mrs. Browning, Aur. Leigh, V. Delia Dobbs, the lecturer from ‘the States’ Upon ‘the Woman’s Question.’

1890.  A. Lang, Sir Stafford Northcote, II. 24–5. He thus found himself a prophet in the States, if not in his own country.

  32.  (Without article.) All that concerns the government or ruling power of a country; the sphere of supreme political power and administration. The adjectival phr. of state (= F. d’état, It. di stato) is otherwise expressed by the attributive use (see 38). † In state, in the sphere of government or politics.

  Reason of State: see REASON sb.¹ 5 b. Secretary of State (Gt. Britain and U.S.): see SECRETARY sb.¹ 3. Department of State (U.S.): see DEPARTMENT 3 b; formerly † Office of State.

1582.  Allen, Martyrdom Campion (1908), 9. They pricked her Maiestie’s Councel to alter the question from controversie in religion to the cause of the Prince and matter of state.

1591.  Harington, Orlando, Apol. Poetrie ¶ vj. How much good matter, yea and matter of state, is there in that Comedie cald the play of the Cards?

1600.  E. Blount, trans. Conestaggio, 6. According vnto reason of State.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., II. v. 164. Let thy tongue tang arguments of state.

1612.  Bacon, Ess., Reg. Health (Arb.), 59. It is a secret both in nature and state, that it is safer to change many things then one.

1625.  N. Carpenter, Geog. Del., II. xiv. (1635), 243. I speake here onely of matters of state and policy.

1651.  Hobbes, Leviathan, IV. xlv. 365. The Supreme Power both in State, and Religion.

1673.  Temple, Observ. United Prov., ii. 101. The Council of State is composed of Deputies from the several Provinces.

1694.  (title), Letters of State, written by Mr. John Milton to most of the Sovereign Princes and Republicks of Europe.

1708.  Swift, Sentim. Ch. Eng. Man, Wks. 1755, II. I. 72. I believe it may pass for a maxim in state, that the administration cannot be placed in too few hands, nor the legislature in too many.

1795.  Burke, Regic. Peace, iv. Sel. Wks. III. 344. The Ministers of State and the Judges of the Bench. Ibid., 345. They were made an affair of state.

1796.  Washington, Lett., Writ. (1892), XIII. 213. From the office of State you will receive every thing that relates to business.

1845.  Disraeli, Sybil, V. viii. She was on her way to Bow Street to be examined as a prisoner of state.

1878.  Beaconsfield, in Times, 11 Nov., 10/6. My Lord Mayor, I have observed that the month of October is often rife with high secrets of State. (A laugh.)

  33.  Short for state-letter (see 41). ? Obs.

a. 1879.  Sir R. Hill, Life (1880), II. 107. Sorting out the letters for Government and foreign ambassadors resident in London, letters technically called ‘States.’

  V.  Interest in property; possessions.

  † 34.  Law. The interest that any one has in a property; right or title to property; = ESTATE 11.

1439.  E. E. Wills (1882), 115. I … bequeth … to þe saide Iohn my wyfe, the termys and state comyng of & in all the tenement.

c. 1450.  Reg. Godstow Nunnery, 613. Aliz wynnynge … surrendred to þe Abbas & couent of Godestowe all þe state, þat she had of the same Abbas & couent.

1502.  Will of J. Hutton (Somerset Ho.). Lond … in the which I haue a state.

1523.  Fitzherb., Surv., 15 b. Where they haue no state of inherytaunce.

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., V. xi. 3. He … bad Deliuer him his owne,… To which they had no right, nor any wrongfull state.

1621.  Burton, Anat. Mel., III. ii. V. v. (1624), 455. States of liues in coppy holds.

1660.  R. Coke, Power & Subj., 25. Do or Dedi, to A. and the heires of his body lawfully begotten,… creates a state taile.

  fig.  1616.  B. Jonson, Epigr., lxx. He makes a state In life, that can employ it.

  † b.  To make a state (of property) to (a person): to give a legal right or title to. Also (without of): to make a (specified or understood) gift, grant or settlement. (Cf. ESTATE sb. 11 b.)

1445.  Test. Ebor. (Surtees), II. 155. I require my seid feffes … that they make a state of the Maner of Kirklyngton vnto Elizabeth Chaworth.

c. 1445.  in Oxf. Stud. Soc. & Legal Hist. (1914), IV. 194. With owte any state maide to the saide personez so named Feffes of the saide landez and tenementz.

1455.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 306/1. Eny Advousons or Patronages in which eny persone or persones … have enfeoffed us, or yerof made eny Graunte or state unto us.

1521.  Test. Ebor. (Surtees), VI. 5. That my said feoffes make a state to the saide William Vescy of all my landes in Cateby. Ibid. (1541), 135. I will that my heres make alway a newe state at the ende of xxj yeres agayne to ane honeste preste to singe [etc.].

1559.  Boke Presidentes, 53 b. There is no maner of states made of free lande by pol deede, or dede indented, but ther may be made the same of copy landes by copy.

1606.  Chapman, Gentl. Usher, III. ii. 40. What state hath your lord made you for your service?

  † 35.  Law. Possession (of property); as to give, deliver, receive state and seisin. Chiefly Sc. Obs.

1338.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 83. Kyng Steuen … þat withouten reson Of þis land had þe state, & conquered þe coroun.

1461.  Paston Lett., II. 37. That whan I com homwar I mygh … mak seson and stat to be take whil I wer ther.

1501.  Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 107/2. Quhill the lauchful are or aeris … recover lachfull state, sessing and possessioun.

1520.  Perth Hammermen Bk. (1889), 13. Item till Constantine Arthur for the staits giffin of the annuels and for his travell to Sanct Androis at the command of the Craft.

1524.  Q. Margaret, in St. Papers Hen. VIII., IV. 112. To schawe His Grace how and in quhat maner We haf downe in this Parliament, and yat ye Kyng my sone is put to his stayt and governans be all his Lordis and Barrowns wyth his Prelattis and Commouns.

1606.  Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot., 662/2. I will and chairgis yow … ye delyver staitt and seasing [etc.].

1710.  in Nairne Peerage Evid. (1874), 45. And there give and deliver heritable state and sasine actuall reall and corporall possession of the foresaid.

1765–8.  Erskine, Inst. Law Scot., II. iii. § 35. Lastly, The vassal … takes instruments in the hand of the notary, before witnesses, that he hath received state and seisin of the lands in due form.

  † b.  To put in state: to put (a person) in possession (of). To be in state, to be seised (of).

1474.  Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., I. 4. To put his sone and ayre in state of his landis.

1531.  Abstr. Protocols Town Clerks Glasgow (1897), IV. 28. George Elquhistoune, beand in stait of the said land.

  † c.  In state: held in (a person’s) ownership or possession. Obs.

1592.  Arden of Feversham, I. 467. The lands are his in state. Ibid., 484. So as he shall wishe the Abby lands Had rested still within their former state.

  † 36.  Property, possessions; one’s private means; = ESTATE sb. 12. Obs.

13[?].  Sir Beues, 3483. Now haþ Beues al is stat.

c. 1430.  Lydg., Min. Poems, 212. Ne were the plough no staat myght endure, The large feeldys shulde be bareyn.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, lxvi. 37. The temporall stait to gryp and gather, The sone disheris wald the father.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., III. iv. 5. My state being gall’d with my expence.

1612.  Bacon, Ess., Riches (Arb.), 240. A great state left to an heire, is as a lure to al the birds of prey round about, to seise on him.

1634.  W. Wood, New Eng. Prosp. (1865), 61. There are some noble spirits that devote their states, and their persons, to the common good of their king and country.

1694.  Wood, Life (O. H. S.), III. 448. He kept his coach and horses, and had no visible state.

1790.  Mrs. Wheeler, Westmld. Dial., 75. Yee kna heeas a Staat, an nae daut will be for a girt Portion.

1899.  Cumberld. Gloss., ’State, the land or property of a statesman.

  VI.  A statement. (? Partly from STATE v.)

  † 37.  A statement, account, description, report (of a transaction, events, a legal case, etc.). Obs. in general use (partly superseded by STATEMENT).

c. 1611.  Chapman, Iliad, XV. 33. This frighted the offending Queene, who, with this state, excusde Her kind vnkindnesse.

c. 1643.  in 13th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. IV. 281. [Notes on the] State of the Tynfarmers’ Case.

1647.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., II. § 123. The next error to this was, that at the meeting of the Great Council at York … there was not a state made, and information given, of the whole proceedings in Scotland.

1657.  in Burton’s Diary (1828), II. 62. You have had a fair state of the case by this honourable person.

1751.  H. Walpole, Mem. Geo. II. (1822), I. 55. Sir Henry Erskine then presented his charge against General Anstruther, which he called only a state of his own case.

1772.  Ann. Reg., *76. He wrote a long state of the whole transaction … to the court of Petersburg.

1791.  Boswell, Johnson (1816), III. 425. His state of the evidence as to the ghost did not satisfy me.

1803.  Maria Edgeworth, Moral T., Forester, xii. Convinced of the woman’s innocence, he had drawn up a state of her case.

1805.  (title) State, Leslie of Powis, &c.

1814.  Scott, Wav., li. Waverley therefore wrote a short state of what had happened, to his uncle and father.

  † b.  A detailed enumeration or report of particulars or items; esp. a statement of items of cost or outlay, of actual or estimated expenses. (Cf. STATE v. 7 d.) Obs.

1671.  R. Montagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 505. The King command[ed] M^r. de Louvoy to make a state of the expense of the war.

1673.  Temple, Observ. United Prov., ii. 102. Towards the end of every year, this Council forms a state of the Expence they conceive will be necessary for the year ensuing.

1691.  T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 28. A more strict and Annual State to be had of all their respective Hulls, Masts, and Yards.

1701.  Evelyn, Diary, 27 Jan. I laid before the Speaker the state of what had ben receiv’d and paid towards the building of Greenwich Hospital.

1727.  [W. Pulteney] (title), A state of the national debt as it stood Dec. 24, 1716.

1785.  Burke, Sp. Nabob of Arcot’s Debts, Wks. 1842, I. 342. Possibly at the time of the chairman’s state they might have been as high.

1786.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 61. They … have asked me to procure a state of the advantages of that place.

1788.  Gibbon, Decl. & F., lx. VI. 173, note. We are indebted to him [Ramusio] for a correct state of the [Venetian] fleet.

1805.  Forsyth, Beauties Scot., III. 281. That the commerce has been gradually increasing here [Glasgow], will appear from the following states.

1818.  Scott, Rob Roy, xxiv. He … sate down to examine Mr. Owen’s states, which the other thought it most prudent to communicate to him without reserve.

  c.  Mil. A report of the numbers of a corps, regiment, etc., in the field, with details of casualties.

1802.  C. James, Milit. Dict., s.v., A weekly state of a regiment,… The difference between the state of a corps or detachment, and a mere return of the same, consists in this, that the former comprehends the specific casualties, &c. that have occurred.

1813.  Wellington, in Gurwood, Desp. (1838), X. 569. If your Lordship will do me the favor … to look over the morning states which I send every week to the Secretary of State.

1854.  Bennett in Kinglake’s Crimea (1877), VI. App. 499. The … officer whose duty it was to make out the duty ‘States.’

1863.  Kinglake, Crimea, II. 237, note. The ‘morning state’ … gives as present under arms (without including the cavalry, of which there was no ‘state’) a total of 26,004 officers and men.

1889.  Infantry Drill, 451. The commander-in-chief … will himself deliver a state of the troops to that Royal Personage.

1915.  Times, 5 April, 4/2. The parade state showed that 61 officers and 975 rank and file took part in the march.

  † d.  State of a vote: the framing or putting a question in the form in which it is to be voted upon. (Cf. STATE v. 7 e.) Sc. Obs.

1701.  Sir D. Hume, Diary Parl. Scot. (Bannatyne Club), 44. After a long debate about these two states, moved it might be put to the vote, Which of these two should be the vote. Ibid. (1703), 101. Then Salton proposed the state of a vote, Whether to give the Act for the Cess a first reading, or to proceed to make Acts for the Security of our Religion, Liberties, and some added, Trade.

1758.  Smollett, Hist. Eng. (1759), IX. 315. The ministry proposed the state of a vote, whether they should first give a reading to Fletcher’s act, or to the act of subsidy.

  VII.  attrib. and Comb.

  38.  Attributive uses of senses 29–32. a. in sense: Of or belonging to the State, body politic, or civil government; made by, issuing from the State; employed by, in the service of, the State; recognized, supported or enforced by the State. Often equivalent to ‘of state’ (sense 32).

1491.  Cartular. S. Nich. Aberdon. (New Spalding Club), I. 255. Gife yai be … occupiet in Stet erandis.

1605.  Shaks., Oth., I. iii. 190. Pleese it your Grace, on to the State Affaires.

1612.  Selden, Illustr. Drayton’s Poly-olb., xvi. 253. Such as were receiued into State-fauour and friendship by the Roman.

1634.  Ford, Perk. Warbeck, II. ii. A State-Informers Character.

1667.  Milton, P. L., I. 775. They … expatiate and confer Thir State affairs.

1690.  Sir W. Temple, Misc., II. Ess. Poetry, 58. So many Pretenders to Business and State-Imployments.

1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 24 April. This weeke there was a greate change of State Officers.

1755.  Johnson, s.v. Pension, In England it is generally understood to mean pay given to a state hireling for treason to his country.

1775.  Lond. Chron., 23–25 May, 495/1. In the last State Lottery there were only 81 prizes above 100 l.

1828.  [H. Best], Italy as it is, 427. The supporters of state religions are shrewdly suspected, too, of holding that one religion is as good as another.

1836.  Thirlwall, Greece, xxv. III. 390. On his return to Catana he found there the state-galley, the Salaminia.

1859.  Mill, Liberty, 190. The objections which are urged with reason against State education.

1860.  Pusey, Min. Proph., 34. Jeroboam made a state-worship at Bethel.

1886.  Encycl. Brit., XX. 241/1. The State Railways of India.

1892.  Bk. Comm. Prayer 1662, Publ. Pref. 8. The titles of … the three State Services [sc. those for 5 Nov., 30 Jan., 29 May].

1905.  Act 5 Edw. VII., c. 19 (title), The construction … of Railways in India, by State Agency, or through the Agency of Companies.

  b.  In a wider or generalized sense: Relating to politics or the art of government; concerned with or depending on political considerations.

  Very common in the 17th c.; sometimes with unfavorable implication, e.g., of crafty or tortuous or time-serving policy.

c. 1610.  Beaum. & Fl., Philaster, I. i. My ignorance in state policy.

1623.  Donne, Serm., xviii. (1640), 172. State Divinity, that obeyes affections of persons.

1637–50.  Row, Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.), 399. It seemeth to be als well aganis State-wisdome as it is evidentlie aganis religion.

1649.  Milton, Eikon., xv. 141. Had he as well known how to distinguish between … the wholsome heat of well Governing, and the feverous rage of Tyrannizing, his judgment in State-physic, had bin of more autoritie.

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. 181. The State Historian.

1661.  R. Davenport, City Nightcap, III. 29. My Lord would have made an excellent state-sophister.

1678.  Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. v. 692. That Religion is nothing but a meer State-juggle and political imposture.

a. 1680.  Butler, Rem. (1759), II. 59. A State-Quack, that … vapours what Cures he could do on the Body politic.

c. 1681.  Duke, Review, 83. That new state-maxim he invented first.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 2 Oct. 1685. Upon some politic and state reasons.

1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 11, ¶ 3. Mr. D … y generally writes State-Plays.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 105, ¶ 6. The State-Pedant is wrapt up in News, and lost in Politicks.

1742.  Young, Nt. Th., VIII. 344. How curious to contemplate two state-rooks, Studious their nests to feather in a trice.

1755.  Dict. Arts & Sci., s.v. Sibyls, it is the opinion of Prideaux, that the story of the three books of the sibyls, sold to Tarquin, was a state-trick or fetch of politics.

1757.  Monitor, No. 79. II. 265. The languid commonwealth … which has been almost brought to its last gasp, under the cruel hands of our late state-quacks.

1809–10.  Coleridge, Friend (1865), 131. The venerable state-moralist.

1827.  Hare, Guesses, Ser. I. (1873), 198. Our statequacks of late years haue thought fit to style themselues Radical Reformers.

1832.  J. A. Heraud, Voy. & Mem. Midshipman, iii. (1837), 52. No doubt a state-necessity, or a state-expediency, might be made out, for the purpose of producing an apparent uniformity in religious worship.

1909.  L. R. Farnell, in Hibbert Jrnl., Jan., 434. It is embedded in the state-craft and state-morality of China and Japan.

  † c.  with reference to affected solemnity of countenance, as of one ostensibly burdened by secrets of state. Obs.

1611.  B. Jonson, Challenge at Tilt, Wks. (1616), 998. There shall not the greatest pretender, to a state-face, liuing, put on a more supercilious looke then I will doe vpon you.

1639.  Glapthorne, Wallenstein, II. ii. You must not then accost her in the Spanish garbe, with a state face.

1728.  Swift, Dial. Mad Mullinix & Timothy, 50. Thy screw’d-up front, thy state-grimace.

  d.  with reference to offences against the State and their punishment; as state-crime, -criminal, -offence, -offender, -prisoner, -trial.

1642.  Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., V. ix. 391. This State-sinne Jehu must commit to maintain his kingdome.

1682.  Dryden, Duke of Guise, V. i. Where no ambition, nor state-crime, the happier spirits prove.

1692.  Sir B. Shower, Reasons New Bill Rights, 6. What Harm can accrue to the Publick … that in Case of State Treason Councel should be allowed to the Accused.

1726.  Swift, Gulliver, I. vii. Having in my life perused many state-trials, which I ever observed to terminate as the judges thought fit to direct.

1766.  Smollett, Trav., II. 227. The isles Marguerites, where state-prisoners are confined.

1798.  Helen M. Williams, Tour in Switzerland, I. ix. 122. Arbourge,… overlooked by a castle, which is the northern bastile of the canton of Berne for state-offenders.

1837.  Carlyle, Fr. Rev., III. I. vi. As for the Orléans Prisoners, they are State Criminals.

1839.  Lytton, Richelieu, II. i. 70. Who ever Heard of its being a state-offence to kiss The hand of one’s own wife.

1886.  C. E. Pascoe, London of To-day, xxvii. (ed. 3), 255. The little Chapel … was long used by the state prisoners in the Tower.

1893.  Baddeley, Queen Joanna I. of Naples, etc. 4. Louis … determined to take advantage of his just indignation at this state-crime.

  e.  U.S. Of or belonging to a State of the Union.

1780.  Abigail Adams, in Fam. Lett. (1876), 388. Our State affairs are thus.

1784.  Acts & Laws Connecticut, 219. The Law relating to the gathering and collecting the State Rates.

1790.  M. Cutler, in Life, Jrnls. & Corr. (1888), I. 460. Congress are still on the question, whether the State debts shall be assumed.

1888.  Bryce, Amer. Commw., II. xliv. 153. As the frame of a State government generally resembles the National government, so a State legislature resembles Congress.

  39.  (Attributive use of sense 17.) Belonging to, employed on, reserved for, occasions of state or ceremony; accompanied with pomp and ceremony; richly or splendidly decorated, furnished, etc. (Equivalent to ‘of state’: see 17 b). Also STATE-ROOM.

1549.  Latimer, 4th Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 126. As Chryste when he counterfayted a state goyng to Hierusalem.

1591.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. vi. 472. Under starry State-Clothes.

1609.  Markham, Famous Wh. (1868), 22. State-chambers richly deckt and furnished.

1615.  Chapman, Odyss., IV. 171. She tooke her State-chaire.

1664–5.  Pepys, Diary, 21 March. A couple of state cups, very large, coming, I suppose, each to about £6 a piece.

1704.  Acc. Innov. Abp. Dublin, 17. The Governments Chaplains always Preach’d upon State-days.

1761.  Brit. Mag., II. 602. Their Majesties last, in the old state-coach.

1812.  H. & J. Smith, Rej. Addr., Macbeth Trav. (1852), 173. King Duncan, in grand majesty, Has got my state-bed for a snooze.

1835.  Dickens, Sk. Boz, Mr. Watkins Tottle, ii. Referring to the gold watch, which was wound up on state occasions, whether it required it or not.

1843.  Fairholt, Ld. Mayors’ Pageants, 152. These courts were held in the state barge.

1846.  Dickens, Pict. Italy, 74. A public promenade, where … the Genoese nobility ride round, and round, and round, in state-clothes and coaches.

1846.  Mrs. Gore, Engl. Char. (1852), 111. A state-coachman is one of the most prominent embodyings of national character in the metropolis.

1855.  Timbs, Curiosities of London, 686. The State Carriage now used by the sovereign.

1858.  Simmonds, Dict. Trade, State-bed, an elaborately carved or decorated bed.

1883.  Mrs. Armytage, Old Court Customs, 178. Court or state balls are given during the season, and at each the invitations generally exceed one thousand.

1915.  Times, 26 March, 11/4. Lord Wimborne has fixed April 14 for his State entry into Dublin.

  40.  Objective and instrumental uses of sense 29.

  a.  objective.

1598.  T. Rogers, Celest. Elegies, D 2, in Lamport Garl. (Roxb.). To royall princes and State-ruling peeres.

1600.  W. Watson, Decacordon (1602), 152. Knowing themselues most innocent of all state-medlings.

1601.  2nd Pt. Return fr. Parnass., III. i. Such busie state-prying fellowes.

1627.  May, Lucan, I. B 1. State-changing comets dire.

1629.  H. Burton, Babel no Bethel, Ded. 5. Imposters, state-treachers, troublers, and betrayers.

1657.  Flatman, Cordial, 11. I care not what your state confounders do.

1735.  Thomson, Liberty, III. 468. All the state wielding magick of his tongue.

1768–74.  Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1834), I. 391. The state-mending citizen.

1792.  Ld. Westmorland, in Lecky’s Hist. Eng. 18th C. (1887), VI. 531. The present Statemaking mania of the world.

1913.  E. J. Dillon, in Engl. Rev., Jan., 284. The Mongols are not State-builders.

  b.  instrumental, chiefly with pa. pples.

1616.  J. Lane, Contn. Sqr.’s T., IX. 288. Th’ prize of state-caused strife.

1650.  B., Discolliminium, 8. They have gotten some yeers on their back, and are able to make a profession of some State-establishment.

1842.  Miall, in Nonconf., II. 193. An authorised, a state-provisioned clergy.

1872.  Yeats, Growth Comm., 58. The poor citizens … became state-fed paupers.

1881.  M. Arnold, Irish Ess., 97. State-aided elementary schools.

1897.  Westm. Gaz., 3 Sept., 8/1. The very atmosphere of State-ridden Germany is fast becoming unbreathable to English lungs.

1912.  W. B. Selbie, Nonconformity, xii. 226. They have a quarrel with the principle of the State establishment of religion.

  41.  Special comb.: state-cabin = STATE-ROOM 2, 3 (cf. states-cabin, quot. 1767, 23 b); state-church, a church established by the state; hence state-churchism, -churchman; † state-fallen a., fallen from high estate; state-letter, a letter written officially by a secretary of state; state-like a., stately, magnificent; † state-making, conveyance of an estate (see 34 b); state-paper, an official document in which some matter concerning the government or the nation is published or expounded; also attrib. in State Paper Office; state-prayers, the prayers for the king and royal family in the order for morning and evening prayer; state-prison, (a) a prison for political offenders (cf. 38 d); (b) U.S. and Austral., a prison maintained by a State for the penal confinement of criminals; in U.S. also state’s prison; state-quake jocular, a convulsion of the state; State rights, the rights and powers vested in the separate States under the Federal Constitution of the U.S.A.; also States rights; also attrib.; state secret, a matter kept secret by the government; jocularly, an important secret; state-statue nonce-wd., a mere image of a statesman; † state-ward, one’s post as ‘watchman for the state’; † statewise adv., in regard to the State.

1760–72.  H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), III. 85. Going down to the *state-cabin.

1838.  Civil Engin. & Arch. Jrnl., I. 167/2. Each side [of the saloon is] occupied with State cabins.

1726.  Trapp, Popery, I. 63. They call our church and Religion, a *State-Church, and Religion.

1888.  Schaff, Hist. Chr. Ch., Mod. Chr., I. 83. Christianity flourishes best without a state-church.

1862.  R. Vaughan, Nonconformity, 391. *State-churchism in any form was not in logical accordance with the leading principle of their polity.

1845.  Miall, in Nonconf., V. 397. Government officials, who, of course, will be *state-churchmen to a man.

1845.  E. Warburton, Crescent & Cross, II. 287. Every thing about this *state-fallen prince wore an appearance of poverty and sadness.

1692.  Post Office patent to T. Neale, 17 Feb. (MS.). All letters commonly called *State letters which are usually carried Postage ffree here in England shall pass free thorow all our Plantations and Iselands.

1738.  Birch, Life Milton, Wks. 1738, I. 59. Besides the Works already mentioned, he was prevail’d upon … to get his State-Letters transcrib’d.

1659.  W. Chamberlayne, Pharonnida, I. 38. A magestick Vest Of *state-like red.

1487.  Rolls of Parlt., VI. 394/1. By means of any Feoffeement, *State makyng or Relees.

1740.  S. Haynes (title), A Collection of *State Papers.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. I. 172. No man wrote abler state papers.

1915.  H. Jenkinson, Palaeography, etc., 4. Almost at the same time [temp. Hen. VII.] appears a new class of Administration and Administrator, an institution wich English Archive practice distinguishes from the old Courts—the Department, the Office of the Secretary of State; whose Records are State Papers, with, very soon, a special home of their own in the State Paper Office.

1831.  W. L. Bowles, Life Bp. Ken, II. 246. Even at Long-Leat, the *state-prayers, as they were called, disturbed his mind, so as to prevent his attending the chapel.

1723.  Blackmore, Alfred, X. 365. Judg’d Guilty and condemn’d they were convey’d To the *State Prisons.

1828–32.  Webster, s.v. Prison, We have state-prisons, for the confinement of criminals by way of punishment.

1832.  G. Downes, Lett. Cont. Countries, I. 158. Out in the lake is a state-prison called the Wellenberg.

1867.  C. H. Pearson, in Brodrick, Ess. Reform, 193. They … are filling the State prisons in Victoria and New South Wales.

1645.  *State-quake [see CHURCH-QUAKE].

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. 130. Untill it hath vented itself with a State-quake of those countries.

1766.  H. Walpole, Lett. to G. Montagu, 12 Dec. We have had … many grumbles of a state-quake.

1798.  Debates in Congress, 21 June (1851), 2022. The powers of our general Government are checked by *State rights.

1846.  S. M. Maury, Statesmen Amer., 370. The struggle which ended in the triumph of the State rights party.

1858.  Hamilton, Sp., 27 Oct. (Bartlett). Having been all my life … an ardent ‘States-rights’ man.

1890.  C. L. Norton, Polit. Americanisms, 109. State Rights.—The political creed which favors the retention of independent powers by individual States as opposed to ‘Centralization.’

1822.  Galt, Provost, xlvi. I told it to Mrs. Pawkie as a *state secret.

1831.  Scott, Ct. Robt., xxix. It was considered as a state secret of the greatest importance.

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., I. ii. 88. If we shall stand still, In feare our motion will be mock’d, or carp’d at, We should take roote here, where we sit, or sit *State-Statues onely.

a. 1625.  Fletcher, Bloody Bro., IV. i. I, ist so? at your *stateward, sir? [Cf. infra, A watchman for the State].

1642.  Bridge, Wound. Consc. Cured, § 2. 17. It is lawfull for the Subjects considered *statewise to rayse an army to defend themselves.

  b.  Combinations of the genitive or pl.: State’s attorney U.S., a lawyer commissioned to represent the State in the courts, esp. in criminal actions; states-folk, † (a) persons of (great) estate or position; (b) dial. yeomen-farmers, owners of small estates (cf. STATESMAN¹ 2); states-people dial. = prec. (b); States-rights (see State-rights in 41); states-system (trans. G. staaten-system), the federation of a number of states with the object of preserving the actual balance of power.

1809.  Kendall, Trav., III. 251. There is in Vermont … an attorney-general, or, as it is called, a *states attorney, for each particular county.

1906.  W. Walker, Calvin, xii. 335. The prosecution now fell into the charge of the states-attorney of the city, Claude Rigot, a friend of Calvin.

1727[?].  Swift, Gulliver, Let. Capt. Gulliver. I see myself accused of reflecting upon great *States-Folk.

1902.  Pall Mall Mag., Sept., 53. The statesfolk too, and the townsfolk—true, a worshipful company!

1887.  Hall Caine, Deemster, iii. The robustious *states-people from twenty miles around.

1834.  trans. Heeren’s Man. Hist. Polit. Syst. Europe, I. Pref. p. vii. The history of any particular *states-system (by which we mean the union of several contiguous states, resembling each other in their manners, religion, and degree of social improvement, and cemented together by a reciprocity of interests).

1864.  Bryce, Holy Rom. Emp., xix. (1876), 340. The Peace of Westphalia is the first … of those attempts to reconstruct by diplomacy the European states-system which have played so large a part in modern history.