sta·sis

[stey-sis, stas-is]
noun, plural sta·ses [stey-seez, stas-eez] .
1.
the state of equilibrium or inactivity caused by opposing equal forces.
2.
Pathology. stagnation in the flow of any of the fluids of the body, as of the blood in an inflamed area or the intestinal contents proximal to an obstruction.
Origin:
1735–45; < Greek stásis state of standing, equivalent to sta- (stem of histánai to make stand; see stand) + -sis -sis

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To stasis
Collins
World English Dictionary
stasis (ˈsteɪsɪs) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n
1.  pathol a stagnation in the normal flow of bodily fluids, such as the blood or urine
2.  literature a state or condition in which there is no action or progress; static situation: dramatic stasis
 
[C18: via New Latin from Greek: a standing, from histanai to cause to stand; related to 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
00:10
Stasis is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

stasis sta·sis (stā'sĭs, stās'ĭs)
n. pl. sta·ses (stā'sēz, stās'ēz)
Stoppage of the normal flow of a body substance, as of blood through an artery or of intestinal contents through the bowels.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The idea of the cusp between chaos and stasis is such a useful idea to artists.
It symbolizes the end of the period of lightning advance and the beginning of
  the period of nasty stasis.
Their expectations for participation in economic and political life are
  frustrated by political stasis and debilitating greed.
Suddenly, stasis and convention were thrown out of the window.
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