Quantcast
 
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

stately

 - 3 dictionary results

state⋅ly

[steyt-lee] adjective, -li⋅er, -li⋅est, adverb
–adjective
1. majestic; imposing in magnificence, elegance, etc.: a stately home.
2. dignified.
–adverb
3. in a stately manner.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME statly. See state, -ly


state⋅li⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To stately
state·ly   (stāt'lē)   
adj.   state·li·er, state·li·est
  1. Dignified and impressive, as in size or proportions. See Synonyms at grand.

  2. Majestic; lofty.

adv.  In a ceremonious or imposing manner.

[Middle English statly, from state, state, rank; see state.]
state'li·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

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."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see stately on Thesaurus | Reference