State is a term nearly synonymous with "mode," but of a meaning more extensive, and is not exclusively limited to the mutable and contingent. Sir W. Hamilton.

Declare the past and present state of things. Dryden.

Keep the state of the question in your eye. Boyle.

Thy honor, state, and seat is due to me. Shak.

She instructed him how he should keep state, and yet with a modest sense of his misfortunes. Bacon.

Can this imperious lord forget to reign,
Quit all his state, descend, and serve again? Pope.

Where least og state there most of love is shown. Dryden.

His high throne, . . . under state
Of richest texture spread. Milton.

When he went to court, he used to kick away the state, and sit down by his prince cheek by jowl. Swift.

Your state, my lord, again in yours. Massinger.

The bold design
Pleased highly those infernal states. Milton.

Well monarchies may own religion's name,
But states are atheists in their very fame. Dryden.

Municipal law is a rule of conduct prescribed by the supreme power in a state. Blackstone.

The Puritans in the reign of Mary, driven from their homes, sought an asylum in Geneva, where they found a state without a king, and a church without a bishop. R. Choate.

* The term State, in its technical sense, is used in distinction from the federal system, i. e., the government of the United States.

* When state is joined with another word, or used adjectively, it denotes public, or what belongs to the community or body politic, or to the government; also, what belongs to the States severally in the American Union; as, state affairs; state policy; State laws of Iowa.

Nascent state. (Chem.) See under Nascent. -- Secretary of state. See Secretary, n., 3. -- State bargea royal barge, or a barge belonging to a government. -- State bed, an elaborately carved or decorated bed. -- State carriage, a highly decorated carriage for officials going in state, or taking part in public processions. -- State paper, an official paper relating to the interests or government of a state. Jay. -- State prison, a public prison or penitentiary; -- called also State's prison. -- State prisoner, one is confinement, or under arrest, for a political offense. -- State rights, or States' rights, the rights of the several independent States, as distinguished from the rights of the Federal government. It has been a question as to what rights have been vested in the general government. [U.S.] -- State's evidence. See Probator, 2, and under Evidence. -- State sword, a sword used on state occasions, being borne before a sovereign by an attendant of high rank. -- State trial, a trial of a person for a political offense. -- States of the Church. See under Ecclesiastical.

Syn. -- State, Situation, Condition. State is the generic term, and denotes in general the mode in which a thing stands or exists. The situation of a thing is its state in reference to external objects and influences; its condition is its internal state, or what it is in itself considered. Our situation is good or bad as outward things bear favorably or unfavorably upon us; our condition is good or bad according to the state we are actually in as respects our persons, families, property, and other things which comprise our sources of enjoyment.

I do not, brother,
Infer as if I thought my sister's state
Secure without all doubt or controversy. Milton.

We hoped to enjoy with ease what, in our situation, might be called the luxuries of life. Cock.

And, O, what man's condition can be worse
Than his whom plenty starves and blessings curse? Cowley.

I myself, though meanest stated,
And in court now almost hated. Wither.

Who calls the council, states the certain day. Pope.

To state it. To assume state or dignity. [Obs.] "Rarely dressed up, and taught to state it." Beau. *** Fl.