Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
STUDY
I. noun (plural studies) see: contusion
Date: 14th century
a state of contemplation ; reverie ,
2. application of the mental faculties to the acquisition of knowledge , such application in a particular field or to a specific subject , careful or extended consideration , d. a careful examination or analysis of a phenomenon, development, or question, the published report of such a study, a building or room devoted to study or literary pursuits, purpose , intent ,
5. a branch or department of learning ; subject , the activity or work of a student , an object of study or deliberation , something attracting close attention or examination, a person who learns or memorizes something (as a part in a play), a literary or artistic production intended as a preliminary outline, an experimental interpretation, or an exploratory analysis of specific features or characteristics, a musical composition for the practice of a point of technique,
II. verb (studied; studying)
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. to engage in study, to undertake formal study of a subject, meditate , reflect , endeavor , try , transitive verb to read in detail especially with the intention of learning, to engage in the study of , plot , design , to consider attentively or in detail , see: consider studier noun