A- (3) prefix meaning "not," from Gk a-, an- "not," from pie base *ne "not" (see un-)

startle --- c.1300, "run to and fro," frequentative of sterten (see start). Sense of "move suddenly in surprise or fear" first recorded 1530. Trans. meaning "frighten suddenly" is from 1595. The word retains more of the original meaning of start (v.).

starve --- O.E. steorfan "to die" (pt. stearf, pp. storfen), from P.Gmc. *sterban "be stiff" (cf. O.Fris. sterva, Du. sterven, O.H.G. sterban "to die," O.N. stjarfi "tetanus"), from PIE base *ster- "stiff, rigid" (cf. Gk. sterphnios "stiff, rigid," sterphos "hide, skin," O.C.S. strublu "strong, hard;" see stare). The conjugation became weak in Eng. by 16c. The sense narrowed to "die of cold" (14c.); meaning "to kill with hunger" is first recorded 1530 (earlier to starve of hunger, 1124). Intrans. sense of "to die of hunger" dates from 1578. Ger. cognate sterben retains the original sense of the word, but the Eng. has come so far from its origins that starve to death (1910) is now common. Starvation (1778) is a hybrid, with a L. ending, apparently first used in ref. to British policies toward rebellious New England colonies.

stash (v.) --- to conceal, hide, 1797, criminals' slang, of unknown origin, perhaps a blend of stow and cache. The noun meaning "hoard, cache" is 1914, from the verb. Slang sense of "personal supply of narcotics" is from 1942.

stasis --- 1745, from Medical L., from Gk. stasis "a standing still," related to statos "placed," verbal adj. of histemi "cause to stand," from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet).

stat --- instrument that keeps something stationary, before 1970, shortened form of L. statim (adv.), originally "to a standstill," from status (see state). The combining form -stat used in devices for stabilizing (thermostat, etc.) is from Gk. statos "standing, stationary," from histanai "to cause to stand," from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). First used in heliostat "an instrument for causing the sun to appear stationary" (1742).

state (n.1) --- c.1225, "circumstances, temporary attributes of a person or thing, conditions," from L. status "manner of standing, position, condition," noun of action from pp. stem of stare "to stand" from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Some M.E. senses are via O.Fr. estat (Fr. état; see estate). The L. word was adopted into other modern Gmc. languages (e.g. Ger., Du. staat) but chiefly in the political senses only. Meaning "physical condition as regards form or structure" is attested from c.1290. Meaning "mental or emotional condition" is attested from 1538 (phrase state of mind first attested 1749); colloquial sense of "agitated or perturbed state" is from 1837.

state (n.2) --- political organization of a country, supreme civil power, government, 1538, from state (n.1); this sense grew out of the meaning "condition of a country" with regard to government, prosperity, etc. (c.1290), from L. phrases such as status rei publicæ "condition of the republic." Often in phrase church and state, which is attested from 1589. The sense of "semi-independent political entity under a federal authority" (as in the United States of America) is from 1856; the British North American colonies occasionally were called states as far back as 1634. The states has been short for "the United States of America" since 1777; hence stateside (1944), World War II U.S. military slang. State rights in U.S. political sense is attested from 1798; form states rights is first recorded 1858. Statesman is from 1592.

state (v.) --- c.1590, "to set in a position," from state (n.1); the sense of "declare in words" is first attested 1647, from the notion of "placing" something on the record. Statement is attested from 1775.

stately --- noble, splendid, c.1385, from state (n.1) in a sense of "costly and imposing display" (such as benefits a person of rank and wealth), c.1330; a sense also preserved in the phrase to lie in state "to be ceremoniously exposed to view before interment" (1705). Hence also stateroom (1703), reserved for ceremonial occasions; earlier (1660) it meant "a captain's cabin."

state-of-the-art (adj.) --- 1967, from noun phrase (1910), earlier status of the art (1889).

stater --- ancient coin, 1382, from Gk. stater, from histanai "to fix, weigh," lit. "to cause to stand" (see stet).

static (adj.) --- 1646 (earlier statical, 1570), "pertaining to the science of weight and its mechanical effects," from Mod.L. statica, from Gk. statikos "causing to stand, skilled in weighing," from stem of histanai "to cause to stand, weigh," from PIE base *sta- "stand" (see stet). The sense of "having to do with bodies at rest or with forces that balance each other" is first recorded 1802. Applied to frictional electricity from 1839. The noun meaning "radio noise" is first recorded 1913; fig. sense of "aggravation, criticism" is attested from 1926.

station --- c.1280, "place which one normally occupies," from O.Fr. station, from L. stationem (nom. statio) "a standing, post, job, position," related to stare "to stand," from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). The meaning "place for a special purpose" (e.g. polling station) is first recorded 1823; radio station is from 1912. The meaning "regular stopping place" is first recorded 1797, in reference to coach routes; applied to railroads 1830. Meaning "each of a number of holy places visited in succession by pilgrims" is from c.1380, hence Station of the Cross (1553). The verb meaning "to assign a post or position to" is attested from 1748. Station wagon in the automobile sense is first recorded 1929, from earlier use for a horse-drawn conveyance that took passengers to and from railroad stations (1894). Station house "police station" is attested from 1836.

stationary --- 1426, in relation to planetary motions, from L. stationarius, in classical L., "of a military station," from statio (see station).

stationery --- 1727, from stationery wares (c.1680) "articles sold by a stationer," from stationer "seller of books and paper," 1311, from M.L. stationarius "stationary seller," from L. stationem (nom. statio) "station" (see station). Roving peddlers were more common in the Middle Ages; sellers with a fixed location were often bookshops licensed by universities. The Company of Stationers, one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, was founded 1556.

statistic (n.) --- quantitative fact or statement, 1880; see statistics.

statistics --- 1770, "science dealing with data about the condition of a state or community," from Ger. Statistik, popularized and perhaps coined by Ger. political scientist Gottfried Aschenwall (1719-72) in his "Vorbereitung zur Staatswissenschaft" (1748), from Mod.L. statisticum (collegium) "(lecture course on) state affairs," from It. statista "one skilled in statecraft," from L. status (see state (n.1)). Meaning "numerical data collected and classified" is from 1829. Abbreviated form stats first recorded 1961. Statistician is from 1825.

statue --- c.1300, from O.Fr. statue (12c.), from L. statua "image, statue," prop. "that which is set up," back-formation from statuere "to cause to stand, set up," from status "a standing, position," from stare "to stand" (see stet). Statuary is from 1563. Statuesque is from early 1820s, patterned on picturesque. Dim. statuette, with Fr. ending, is first recorded 1843. The children's game of statues is attested from 1906.

stature --- c.1300, "height," from O.Fr. stature, from L. statura "height, size of body, size, growth," from stare "to stand," from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Figurative sense first recorded 1834.

status --- 1671, "height," later "legal standing of a person" (1791), from L. status "condition, position, state, manner, attitude," from stare "to stand," from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Sense of "social or professional standing" is from 1820. Status symbol first recorded 1955. Status quo is 1833, from L. status quo (ante) "the state in which (before)."

statute --- c.1290, from O.Fr. statut, from L.L. statutum "a law, decree," noun use of neuter pp. of L. statuere "enact, establish," from status "condition, position," from stare "to stand" from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Statutory first attested 1717; statutory rape, in U.S., "sexual intercourse with a female below the legal age of consent, whether forced or not," is recorded from 1898.

staunch (adj.) --- 1412, "impervious to water," from O.Fr. estanche "firm, watertight," fem. of estanc "dried, exhausted, wearied, vanquished," from V.L. *stanticare, probably from L. stans (gen. stantis), prp. of stare "to stand," from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Sense of "strong, substantial" first recorded 1455; of persons, "standing firm and true to one's principles" from 1623.

stave (n.) --- piece of a barrel, 1750, back-formation from staves (1398), plural of staff (cf. leaves/leaf), possibly from O.E., but not recorded there. The verb (to stave in, past tense stove) is c.1595, originally nautical, on notion of bashing in the staves of a cask and letting out the contents; stave off (c.1624) is lit. "keep off with a staff," as of dogs.

stavesacre --- herbal plant of the Delphinium family, c.1400, from L. staphisagria, from Gk. staphis agria, lit. "wild raisin," from staphis "raisin" + agria, fem. of agrios "wild."

stay (n.1) --- support, prop, brace, c.1515, from M.Fr. estaie "piece of wood used as a support," perhaps from Frank. *staka "support," from P.Gmc. *stagaz (cf. M.Du. stake "stick," O.E. steli "steel" stæg "rope used to support a mast"), from PIE *stak- (see stay (n.2)). If not, then from the root of stay (v.). Stays "laced underbodice" is attested from 1608.

stay (n.2) --- strong rope which supports a ship's mast, from O.E. stæg, from P.Gmc. *stagan (cf. Du. stag, Low Ger. stach, Ger. Stag, O.N. stag), from PIE *stak-, ult. an extended form of base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). The verb meaning "secure or steady with stays" is first recorded 1627.

stay (v.) --- to remain, 1440, from M.Fr. estai-, stem of ester "to stay or stand," from O.Fr., from L. stare "to stand" (cf. It. stare, Sp. estar "to stand, to be"), from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Originally "come to a halt;" sense of "remain" is first recorded 1575. Noun senses of "appliance for stopping," "period of remaining in a place," and (judicial) "suspension of proceeding" all developed 1525-1550. Stay-at-home (adj.) is from 1806. Stay put is first recorded 1843, Amer.Eng. Phrase stay the course is originally (1885) in ref. to horses holding out till the end of a race.

stead --- O.E. stede "place, position, standing, delay," related to standan "to stand," from P.Gmc. *stadiz (cf. O.S. stedi, O.N. staðr, Swed. stad, Du. stede "place," O.H.G. stat, Ger. Stadt "town," Goth. staþs "place"), from PIE *stetis-, from base *ste-/*sta- "to stand" (see stet). Now chiefly in compounds or phrases. Steadfast is from O.E. stedefæst "secure in position," from stede + fæst "firmly fixed" (see fast).

steady --- 1530, replacing earlier steadfast, from stead + adj. suffix -y, perhaps on model of M.Du., M.L.G. stadig. O.E. had stæððig "grave, serious," and stedig "barren," but neither seems to be the direct source of the modern word. O.N. cognate stoðugr "steady, stable" was closer in sense. Originally of things; of persons or minds from 1602. Meaning "working at an even rate" is first recorded in 1548. The verb also is first recorded 1530. Noun meaning "one's boyfriend or girlfriend" is from 1897; to go steady is 1905 in teenager slang. Steady progress is etymologically a contradiction in terms. Steady state first attested 1885; as a cosmological theory (propounded by Bondi, Gold, and Hoyle), it is attested from 1948.

steak --- 1440, "thick slice of meat cut for roasting," probably from O.N. steik "roast meat," cognate with steikja "to roast on a spit," and ultimately "something stuck" (on a spit); related to stick (v.).

steal --- O.E. stelan "to commit a theft" (class IV strong verb; past tense stæl, pp. stolen), from P.Gmc. *stelanan (cf. O.S. stelan, O.N., O.Fris. stela, Du. stelen, O.H.G. stelan, Ger. stehlen, Goth. stilan), of unknown origin. Most IE words for steal have roots in notions of "hide," "carry off," or "collect, heap up." Attested as a verb of stealthy motion from c.1300 (e.g. to steal away, c.1369); of glances, sighs, etc., from 1586. The noun meaning "a bargain" is Amer.Eng. colloquial attested by 1942; baseball sense of "a stolen base" is from 1867. To steal (someone) blind first recorded 1974.

stealth --- c.1250, "theft, action or practice of stealing," from O.E. *stælþ, which is related to stelen (see steal), from P.Gmc. *stælitho (cf. O.N. stulþr). Sense of "secret action" developed c.1300, but the word also retained its etymological sense into 18c. Got a boost as an adj. from stealth fighter, stealth bomber, radar-evading U.S. military aircraft, activated 1983. Stealthy is attested from 1605.

steam (n.) --- O.E. steam "vapor, fume," from P.Gmc. *staumaz (cf. Du. stoom), of unknown origin. The verb is from O.E. stemen, stymen "to emit a scent or odor;" slang meaning "to make angry" is from 1922. Steamy is first attested 1644; in the sense of "erotic, sexy," it is first recorded 1952. Steamboat is from 1787; steam-engine is from 1751; steamer is 1814 in the cookery sense, 1825 as "a vessel propelled by steam," hence steamer trunk (1885), one that carries the essentials for a voyage. Steam age first attested 1941. Steam heat as a method of temperature control recorded from 1904. Steam-roller is from 1866; as a verb, first recorded 1912.

stearin --- white crystalline compound found in animal and vegetable fats, 1817, from Fr. stéarine, coined by Fr. chemist Marie-Eugène Chevreul (1786-1889) from Gk. stear (gen. steatos) "tallow, fat." Stearic acid (1831) is a partial translation of Fr. acide stéarique.

steatopygia --- abnormal accumulation of fat on the buttocks of certain races, 1822, Mod.L., from steato- "fat, tallow," from Gk. stear (gen. steatos) "solid fat, suet" + Gk. pyge "buttocks."

steed --- O.E. steda "stallion, stud horse," from P.Gmc. *stodjon (cf. O.N. stoð), from the root of O.E. stod (see stud (2)). In M.E., "a great horse" (as distinguished from a palfrey), "a spirited war horse." Obsolete from 16c. except in poetic, rhetorical, or jocular language.

steel --- O.E. style, from W.Gmc. adj. *stakhlijan "made of steel" (cf. O.S. stehli, O.N., M.L.G. stal, Dan. staal, Swed. stål, M.Du. stael, Du. staal, O.H.G. stahal, Ger. Stahl), related to *stakhla "standing fast," from PIE *stek-lo-, from base *stak- "to stand, place, be firm" (see stay (n.1)). No corresponding word exists outside Gmc. except those likely borrowed from Gmc. languages. The fig. verb sense of "make hard or strong like steel" is first recorded 1581. Steel wool is attested from 1896.

steenbok --- 1775, from Afrikaans steenbok, from M.Du. steenboc, lit. "stone buck," cognate with O.E. stanbucca "mountain goat," Ger. Steinbock.

steep (adj.) --- having a sharp slope, O.E. steap "high, lofty," from P.Gmc. *staupaz (cf. O.Fris. stap, M.H.G. *stouf), from PIE *steup- "to push, stick, knock, beat," with derivations referring to projecting objects (cf. Gk. typtein "to strike," typos "a blow, mold, die;" Skt. tup- "harm," tundate "pushes, stabs;" Goth. stautan "push;" O.N. stuttr "short"). The sense of "precipitous" is from c.1200. The slang sense "at a high price" is a U.S. coinage first attested 1856.

steep (v.) --- to soak in a liquid, 1390, of uncertain origin, originally in ref. to barley or malt, probably cognate with O.N. steypa "to pour out, throw" (or an unrecorded O.E. cognate), from P.Gmc. *staupijanan.

steeple --- O.E. stepel (Mercian), stiepel (W.Saxon) "high tower" (related to steap "high, lofty"), from P.Gmc. *staupilaz (see steep (adj.)). Steeplechase first recorded 1793 (earlier steeplehunt, 1772), originally a race with a visible church steeple as a goal. Steeplejack "one who climbs steeples, chimneys, etc. to make repairs" is attested from 1881.

steer (n.) --- young ox, O.E. steor "bullock," from P.Gmc. *steuraz (cf. O.S. stior, O.N. stjorr, Swed. tjur, Dan. tyr, M.Du., Du., Ger. stier, Goth. stiur "bull"), perhaps from PIE *steu-ro-, a base denoting "strength, sturdiness" (see taurus).

steer (v.) --- guide the course of a vehicle, O.E. steran (Mercian), stieran (W.Saxon), from P.Gmc. *steurijanan (cf. O.N. styra, O.Fris. stiora, Du. sturen, O.H.G. stiuren, Ger. steuern "to steer," Goth. stiurjan "to establish, assert"), related to *steuro "rudder" (cf. O.E. steor "helm, rudder," Ger. Steuer and first element in starboard), from PIE *steu-ro- (cf. Gk. stauros "stake, pole"), from base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). The notion is of a stiff, upright pillar or post used in steering. To steer clear of in the fig. sense of "to avoid completely" is recorded from 1723. Steerage (1399) was the steering apparatus of a ship before the introduction of the deck wheel; meaning "section of a ship with the cheapest accommodations" first recorded 1804. Steering committee in the U.S. political sense is recorded from 1887.

stegosaurus --- type of dinosaur, 1892, from Mod.L. order name Stegosauria (O.C.Marsh, 1877), from comb. form of Gk. stegos "roof" (from stege "covering," stegein "to cover," from PIE base *(s)teg- "cover," especially "cover with a roof" (cf. Skt. sthag- "cover, conceal, hide;" L. tegere "to cover;" Lith. stegti "roof;" O.N. þekja, O.E. þeccan "thatch;" Du. dekken, Ger. decken "to cover, put under roof;" Ir. tuigiur "cover," tech "house;" Welsh toi "thatch, roof," ty "house") + sauros "lizard." The back-armor plates in the fossilized remains look like roof tiles.

stein --- 1855, from Ger. Stein, shortened form of Steinkrug "stone jug," from Stein "stone" + Krug "jug, jar."

Steinway --- make of pianos, from Henry Englehard Steinway (1797-1871), celebrated Ger. piano-builder who founded the firm in New York in 1853.

stele --- upright slab, usually inscribed, 1820, from Gk. stele "standing block, slab," related to stellein "to set in order, arrange," from PIE *stel- (see stet).

Stella --- fem. proper name, from L. stella "star" (see star).

stellar --- 1656, "pertaining to stars, star-like," from L. stellaris "pertaining to a star, starry," from stella (see star). Meaning "outstanding, leading" (1883) is from the theatrical sense of star.

stellate --- 1500, "star-spangled," from L. stellatus "covered with stars," pp. of stellare "to set with stars," from stella (see star). Meaning "star-shaped" is recorded from 1661.

stem (n.) --- O.E. stemn, stefn "stem of a plant," also "either end-post of a ship," from P.Gmc. *stamniz (cf. O.S. stamm, O.N. stafn "stem of a ship;" Dan. stamme, Swed. stam "trunk of a tree;" O.H.G. stam, Ger. Stamm), from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Meaning "support of a wineglass" is from 1835. Stem-winding watches (1875) were advanced and desirable when introduced, hence slang stem-winder "excellent thing" (1892). The nautical sense is preserved in the phrase stem to stern "along the full length" (of a ship), attested from 1627. The verbal phrase stems from, first recorded 1932, Amer.Eng., translates Ger. stammen aus, probably from a fig. sense represented by Eng. stem (n.) in the sense of "stock of a family, line of descent" (c.1540; cf. family tree, and Ger. stammvater "tribal ancestor," lit. "stem-father").

stem (v.) --- to hold back, c.1300, from O.N. stemma "to stop," from P.Gmc. *stamjan (cf. Swed. stämma, O.S. stemmian, M.Du. stemon, Ger. stemmen "stop, resist, oppose"), from PIE base *stem- "to strike against something" (cf. Lith. stumiu "thrust, push"). Phrase to stem the tide is lit. "to hold back the tide," but often is confused with stem (v.) in sense of "to make headway against, head in a certain course" (1375), which is from stem (n.)).

Sten --- type of light, rapid-fire submachine gun, 1942, from initials of surnames of designers R.V. Shepherd and H.J. Turpin + En(field) (see Bren).

stench --- O.E. stenc "a smell" (either pleasant or unpleasant), from P.Gmc. *stankwiz (cf. O.S. stanc, O.H.G. stanch, Ger. stank). Related to stincan "emit a smell" (see stink) as drench is to drink. The notion of "evil smell" predominated from c.1200.

stencil (n.) --- 1707, not recorded again until 1848, probably from M.E. stencellen "decorate with bright colors," from M.Fr. estenceler "cover with sparkles or stars, powder with color," from estencele "spark, spangle," from V.L. *stincilla, metathesis of L. scintilla "spark." The verb meaning "to produce a design with a stencil" is first recorded 1861.

stenography --- shorthand, 1602, from Gk. stenos "narrow" (of unknown origin) + graphos "writing." Stenographer first recorded 1809.

stent --- tube implanted temporarily, 1964, named for Charles T. Stent (1807-85), Eng. dentist.

stentorian --- of powerful voice, 1605, from Stentor, legendary Gk. herald in the Trojan War, whose voice (described in the "Iliad") was as loud as 50 men. His name is from Gk. stenein "groan, moan," from PIE imitative base *(s)ten-, source of O.E. þunor "thunder."

step- --- O.E. steop-, with connotations of "loss," in combinations like steopcild "orphan," related to astiepan, bestiepan "to bereave, to deprive of parents or children," from P.Gmc. *steupa- "bereft" (cf. O.Fris. stiap-, O.N. stjup-, Swed. styv-, M.L.G. stef-, Du. stief-, O.H.G. stiof-, Ger. stief-), lit. "pushed out," from PIE *steup-, from base *(s)teu- (see steep (adj.)). Etymologically, a stepfather or stepmother is one who becomes father or mother to an orphan, but the notion of orphanage faded in 20c. For sense evolution, cf. L. privignus "stepson," related to privus "deprived."

step (n.) --- O.E. steppa (Mercian), stæpe, stepe (W.Saxon) "stair, act of stepping," from the source of step (v.). Meaning "action which leads toward a result" is recorded from 1549. Stepladder (one with steps instead of rungs) is from 1751. Warning phrase watch your step is attested from 1934. Step-dancing first recorded 1886.

step (v.) --- O.E. steppan (Anglian), stæppan (W.Saxon) "take a step," from W.Gmc. *stap- "tread" (cf. O.Fris., M.Du., Du. stap, O.H.G. stapfo, Ger. stapfe "footstep"), from PIE base *stebh- "to tread, step" (cf. O.C.S. stopa "step, pace," stepeni "step, degree"). Originally strong (p.t. stop, pp. bestapen); weak forms emerged 13c., universal from 16c. Stepping stone first recorded c.1325; in the figurative sense 1653. Step on it "hurry up" is 1923, from notion of gas pedal; step out (v.) is from 1907.

Stephen --- masc. proper name, from L. Stephanus, from Gk. Stephanos, from stephanos "crown, garland." Only a monk's name in O.E., it became common after the Conquest.

Stepin Fetchit --- type of stereotypical black roles in Hollywood, or in popular culture generally, from stage name (a play on step and fetch it) of popular black vaudeville actor Lincoln Theodore Perry (1902-1985), who first appeared in films under that name in "In Old Kentucky" (1927). Perry said he took the name from a racehorse on which he'd won some money.

steppe --- vast treeless plain of southeastern Europe and of Asia, 1671, from Rus. *step', of unknown origin.

-ster --- O.E. -istre, from P.Gmc. *-istrijon, feminine agent suffix used as the equivalent of masculine -ere. Also used in M.E. to form nouns of action (meaning "a person who ...") without regard for gender. The genderless agent noun use apparently was a broader application of the original feminine suffix, beginning in the north of England, but linguists disagree over whether this indicates female domination of weaving and baking trades, as represented in names like Webster, Baxter, Brewster, etc. (though spinster clearly represents a female ending). In Modern Eng., the suffix has been productive in forming derivative nouns (gamester, punster, etc.).

stercoraceous --- 1731, "consisting of or pertaining to feces," from L. stercus "dung."

stere --- unit of the metric system for solid measure, 1798, from Fr. stère "unit of volume equal to one cubic meter," from Gk. stereos "solid," from PIE base *ster- "stiff, rigid" (see sterile).