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. étude. 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.

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 ones thoughts to; as, to study the welfare of others; to study variety in composition."

For their heart studieth destruction. Prov. xxiv. 2.

Stud"y (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Studied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Studying (?).] [OE. studien, OF. estudier, F. étudier. 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.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913