states

state  (stt)

n.

1. A condition or mode of being, as with regard to circumstances: a state of confusion.

2. A condition of being in a stage or form, as of structure, growth, or development: the fetal state.

3. A mental or emotional condition: in a manic state.

4. Informal A condition of excitement or distress.

5. Physics The condition of a physical system with regard to phase, form, composition, or structure: Ice is the solid state of water.

6. Social position or rank.

7. Ceremony; pomp: foreign leaders dining in state at the White House.

8.

a. The supreme public power within a sovereign political entity.

b. The sphere of supreme civil power within a given polity: matters of state.

9. A specific mode of government: the socialist state.

10. A body politic, especially one constituting a nation: the states of Eastern Europe.

11. One of the more or less internally autonomous territorial and political units composing a federation under a sovereign government: the 48 contiguous states of the Union.

adj.

1. Of or relating to a body politic or to an internally autonomous territorial or political unit constituting a federation under one government: a monarch dealing with state matters; the department that handles state security.

2. Owned and operated by a state: state universities.

tr.v. stat·ed, stat·ing, states

To set forth in words; declare.

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[Middle English, from Old French estat, from Latin status; see st- in Indo-European roots.]

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stata·ble, statea·ble adj.

Synonyms: state, condition, situation, status
These nouns denote the mode of being or form of existence of a person or thing: an old factory in a state of disrepair; a jogger in healthy condition; a police officer responding to a dangerous situation; the uncertain status of the peace negotiations.

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States [steɪts]

n

(Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (functioning as singular or plural) the. an informal name for the United States of America

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states

• nation, country - A nation is made up of states—and a country is a nation defined geographically.
• political map - Shows the boundaries of cities, states, and countries.
• statistic - Comes from a German noun describing knowledge dealing with the constitutions and resources of the states of the world.
• booster name - A nickname for a state (as on a license plate).

Translations

States [ˈsteɪts] npl
the States (= the US) → les États-Unis mpl
State's attorney n (US) → procureur(e) m/f
state school n → école f publique
state secret n → secret m d'État

States [steɪts] npl the States (USA) → gli Stati mpl Uniti