stage

[steyj] noun, verb, staged, stag·ing.
noun
1.
a single step or degree in a process; a particular phase, period, position, etc., in a process, development, or series.
2.
a raised platform or floor, as for speakers, performers, etc.
3.
Theater.
a.
the platform on which the actors perform in a theater.
b.
this platform with all the parts of the theater and all the apparatus back of the proscenium.
4.
the stage, the theater, especially acting, as a profession: He plans to make the stage his career.
5.
Movies. sound stage.
6.
the scene of any action.
7.
a stagecoach.
8.
a place of rest on a journey; a regular stopping place of a stagecoach or the like, for the change of horses, mules, etc.
9.
the distance between two places of rest on a journey; each of the portions of a journey.
10.
a portion or period of a course of action, of life, etc.: the adolescent stage of human development.
11.
Entomology.
a.
any one of the major time periods in the development of an insect, as the embryonic, larval, pupal, and imaginal stages.
b.
Also called stadium. any one of the periods of larval growth between molts.
12.
Economics, Sociology. a major phase of the economic or sociological life of human beings or society: the patriarchal stage.
13.
Geology. a division of stratified rocks corresponding to a single geologic age.
14.
the small platform of a microscope on which the object to be examined is placed. See illus. under microscope.
15.
Radio. an element in a complex mechanism, as a tube and its accessory structures in a multiple amplifier.
16.
Rocketry. a section of a rocket containing a rocket engine or cluster of rocket engines, usually separable from other such sections when its propellant is exhausted.
verb (used with object)
17.
to represent, produce, or exhibit on or as if on a stage: The drama class staged a play during Christmas vacation.
18.
to furnish with a stage, staging, stage set, etc.
19.
to write, direct, or produce (a play) with the action taking place as if in a specified locale or time: He staged the fantasy on Mars in the year 2500.
20.
to plan, organize, or carry out (an activity), especially for dramatic or public effect: Workers staged a one-day strike.
21.
to classify the natural progression of (a disease, especially cancer).
00:10
Stage is one of our favorite verbs.
So is fletcherise. Does it mean:
to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.
to flee; abscond:
LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
verb (used without object)
22.
to be suitable for presentation or performance on the stage: The script didn't stage well.
23.
to travel by stagecoach.
Idioms
24.
by easy stages, working, traveling, etc., slowly, with frequent pauses; unhurriedly, with many stops; gradually.
25.
go on the stage, to become an actor, especially in the theater: She knew from the age of 12 that she would go on the stage.
26.
hold the stage,
a.
to continue to be produced, as a play or other theatrical production.
b.
to be the center of attention.
27.
on stage, performing, especially as an actor.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English (noun) < Old French estage (French étage) < Vulgar Latin *staticum standing place, equivalent to stat(us) status + -icum, neuter of -icus -ic

Related forms
stage·a·ble, adjective
stage·a·bil·i·ty, stage·a·ble·ness, noun
stage·a·bly, adverb
in·ter·stage, adjective
re·stage, verb (used with object), re·staged, re·stag·ing.
su·per·stage, noun
un·der·stage, noun

Synonyms
6. spot, setting, locale.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To stage
Collins
World English Dictionary
stage (steɪdʒ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  a distinct step or period of development, growth, or progress: a child at the toddling stage
2.  a raised area or platform
3.  the platform in a theatre where actors perform
4.  the stage the theatre as a profession
5.  any scene regarded as a setting for an event or action
6.  a portion of a journey or a stopping place after such a portion
7.  short for stagecoach
8.  (Brit) a division of a bus route for which there is a fixed fare
9.  See also multistage one of the separate propulsion units of a rocket that can be jettisoned when it has burnt out
10.  any of the various distinct periods of growth or development in the life of an organism, esp an insect: a larval stage; pupal stage
11.  the organism itself at such a period of growth
12.  a small stratigraphical unit; a subdivision of a rock series or system
13.  the platform on a microscope on which the specimen is mounted for examination
14.  electronics a part of a complex circuit, esp one of a number of transistors with the associated elements required to amplify a signal in an amplifier
15.  a university subject studied for one academic year: Stage II French
16.  by easy stages, in easy stages not hurriedly: he learned French by easy stages
 
—vb
17.  (tr) to perform (a play), esp on a stage: we are going to stage ``Hamlet''
18.  (tr) to set the action of (a play) in a particular time or place
19.  (tr) to plan, organize, and carry out (an event)
20.  obsolete (intr) to travel by stagecoach
 
[C13: from Old French estage position, from Vulgar Latin staticum (unattested), from Latin stāre to stand]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

stage
c.1300, "story of a building, raised floor for exhibitions," from O.Fr. estage "a story or floor of a building, stage for performance," from V.L. *staticum "a place for standing," from L. statum, pp. of stare "to stand" (see stet). Meaning "platform for presentation of a play"
is attested from 1548; generalized for "profession of an actor" from 1589. Sense of "period of development or time in life" first recorded 1608, probably from M.E. sense of "degree or step on the 'ladder' of virtue, 'wheel' of fortune, etc.," in parable illustrations and morality plays. The verb meaning "to put (a play) on the stage" first recorded 1879; general sense of "to mount" (a comeback, etc.) is attested from 1924. Stage-coach is 1658, from the sense of "division of a journey without stopping for rest" (1603). Stage mother is from 1919. Stage-Door Johnny "young man who frequents stage doors seeking the company of actresses, chorus girls, etc." is attested from 1912. Stage-struck is from 1813; earlier stage-smitten (1682). Stage-whisper first attested 1865.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

stage (stāj)
n.

  1. A period in the course of a disease.

  2. The platform on a microscope that supports a slide for viewing.

  3. A particular step, phase, or position in a developmental process.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

stage

In addition to the idioms beginning with stage, also see at this stage; set the scene (stage) for.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
No matter what your stage of life, there's an age-appropriate car for you.
Perhaps the stage theory of grief caught on so quickly because it made loss
  sound controllable.
They are totally theatrical, complete with stage set and props.
At the finale, baguettes bombarded the stage as part of the audience ovation.
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriHome Advisor
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
About PRIVACY POLICY Terms API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Suggest a Word Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT