Definition: study

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

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

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Study \Stud"y\, n.; pl. Studies. [OE. studie, L. studium, akin
   to studere to study; possibly akin to Gr. ? haste, zeal, ? to
   hasten; cf. OF. estudie, estude, F. ['e]tude. Cf. Etude,
   Student, Studio, Study, v. i.]
   1. A setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence,
      application of mind to books, arts, or science, or to any
      subject, for the purpose of acquiring knowledge.

            Hammond . . . spent thirteen hours of the day in
            study.                                --Bp. Fell.

            Study gives strength to the mind; conversation,
            grace.                                --Sir W.
                                                  Temple.

   2. Mental occupation; absorbed or thoughtful attention;
      meditation; contemplation.

            Just men they seemed, and all their study bent To
            worship God aright, and know his works. --Milton.

   3. Any particular branch of learning that is studied; any
      object of attentive consideration.

            The Holy Scriptures, especially the New Testament,
            are her daily study.                  --Law.

            The proper study of mankind is man.   --Pope.

   4. A building or apartment devoted to study or to literary
      work. ``His cheery little study.'' --Hawthorne.

   5. (Fine Arts) A representation or rendering of any object or
      scene intended, not for exhibition as an original work of
      art, but for the information, instruction, or assistance
      of the maker; as, a study of heads or of hands for a
      figure picture.

   6. (Mus.) A piece for special practice. See Etude.
Study \Stud"y\, v. t.
   1. To apply the mind to; to read and examine for the purpose
      of learning and understanding; as, to study law or
      theology; to study languages.

   2. To consider attentively; to examine closely; as, to study
      the work of nature.

            Study thyself; what rank or what degree The wise
            Creator has ordained for thee.        --Dryden.

   3. To form or arrange by previous thought; to con over, as in
      committing to memory; as, to study a speech.

   4. To make an object of study; to aim at sedulously; to
      devote one's thoughts to; as, to study the welfare of
      others; to study variety in composition.

            For their heart studieth destruction. --Prov. xxiv.
                                                  2.
Study \Stud"y\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Studied; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Studying.] [OE. studien, OF. estudier, F. ['e]tudier. See
   Study, n.]
   1. To fix the mind closely upon a subject; to dwell upon
      anything in thought; to muse; to ponder. --Chaucer.

            I found a moral first, and then studied for a fable.
                                                  --Swift.

   2. To apply the mind to books or learning. --Shak.

   3. To endeavor diligently; to be zealous. --1 Thes. iv. 11.