state

Universal Words noun, adjective, verb noun condition of sb / sth 1 [C] the mental, emotional or physical condition that a person or thing is in: a confused state of mind * He was in a state of permanent depression. * A report condemned the state of prisoners' cells. * anxieties about the state of the country's economy * The building is in a bad state of repair (= needs to be repaired). * She was in a state of shock. * (BrE, informal) Look at the state of you! You can't go out looking like that. * You're not in a fit state to drive. -< CONDITION country 2 (also State) [C] a country considered as an organized political community controlled by one government: the Baltic States * the State of Israel * European Union member states seealsoCITYSTATE, NATIONSTATE, POLICESTATE, WELFARESTATE -> COUNTRY part of country 3 (also State) [C] (abbreviation St.) an organized political community forming part of a country: the states of Victoria and Western Australia * the southern States of the US government 4 (also the State) [U,sing.] the government of a country: matters / affairs of state * people who are financially dependent on the state * a state-owned company * They wish to limit the power of the State. official ceremony 5 [U] the formal ceremonies connected with high levels of government or with kings and queens: The president was driven in state through the streets. the us 6 (the States) [pl.] (informal) the United States of America: I've never been to the States. IDIOMS be in / get into a state (informal, especially BrE) 1 to be/become excited or anxious: She was in a real state about her exams. * He made a mistake and got into a terrible state about it. 2 to be dirty or untidy: What a state this place is in! in a state of grace (in the Roman Catholic Church) having been forgiven by God for the wrong or evil things you have done: He died in a state of grace. a state of affairs a situation: This state of affairs can no longer be ignored. the state of play 1 the stage that has been reached in a dispute, process, etc. which has not yet been completed: What is the current state of play in the peace talks? 2 (especially BrE) the score in a sports match, especially in cricket turn State's evidence (AmE) = turn King's / Queen's evidence at EVIDENCE moreatLIEv., NANNY adjective (also State) [onlybeforenoun] government 1 provided or controlled by the government of a country: state education * families dependent on state benefits (= in Britain, money given by the government to people who are poor) * state secrets (= information that could be harmful to a country if it were discovered by an enemy) official 2 connected with the leader of a country attending an official ceremony: The Queen is on a state visit to Moscow. * the state opening of Parliament * the state apartments / rooms (= used for official ceremonies) part of country 3 connected with a particular state of a country, especially in the US: a state prison / hospital / university * state police / troopers * a state holiday / tax verb 1 to formally write or say sth, especially in a careful and clear way: [VN] He has already stated his intention to run for election. * The facts are clearly stated in the report. * There is no need to state the obvious (= to say sth that everyone already knows). * [Vwh-] State clearly how many tickets you require. * [Vthat] He stated categorically that he knew nothing about the deal. * [VNthat] It was stated that standards at the hospital were dropping. * [VNtoinf] The contract was stated to be invalid. HELPNOTE This pattern is usually used in the passive. 2 [VN] [usuallypassive] to fix or announce the details of sth, especially on a written document: This is not one of their stated aims. * You must arrive at the time stated. * Do not exceed the stated dose (= of medicine).