Study - the devotion of time and attention to acquiring knowledge on an academic subject, esp. by means of books : the study of English | an application to continue full-time study.
• ( studies) activity of this type as pursued by one person : some students may not be able to resume their studies.
• an academic book or article on a particular topic : a study of Jane Austen's novels.
• ( studies) used in the title of an academic subject : a major in East Asian studies.
2 a detailed investigation and analysis of a subject or situation : a study of a sample of 5,000 children | the study of global problems.
• a portrayal in literature or another art form of an aspect of behavior or character : a study of a man devoured by awareness of his own mediocrity.
• archaic a thing that is or deserves to be investigated; the subject of an individual's study : I have made it my study to examine the nature and character of the Indians.
• archaic the object or aim of someone's endeavors : the acquisition of a fortune is the study of all.
• [with adj. ] a person who learns a skill or acquires knowledge at a specified speed : I'm a quick study. [ORIGIN: originally theatrical slang, referring to an actor who memorizes a role.]
3 a room used or designed for reading, writing, or academic work.
4 a piece of work, esp. a drawing, done for practice or as an experiment.
• a musical composition designed to develop a player's technical skill.
5 ( a study in) a thing or person that is an embodiment or good example of something : he perched on the edge of the bed, a study in confusion and misery.
• informal an amusing or remarkable thing or person : Ira's face was a study as he approached the car.
verb ( studies, studied) [ trans. ]
1 devote time and attention to acquiring knowledge on (an academic subject), esp. by means of books : she studied biology and botany.
• investigate and analyze (a subject or situation) in detail : he has been studying mink for many years.
• [ intrans. ] apply oneself to study : he spent his time listening to the radio rather than studying.
• [ intrans. ] acquire academic knowledge at an educational establishment : he studied at the Kensington School of Art.
• [ intrans. ] ( study up) learn intensively about something, esp. in preparation for a test of knowledge : a graduate student studies up for her doctoral exams.
• (of an actor) try to learn (the words of one's role).
• W. Indian give serious thought or consideration to : the people here don't make so much noise, so you will find that the government doesn't have us to study.
2 look at closely in order to observe or read : she bent her head to study the plans.
3 archaic make an effort to achieve (a result) or take into account (a person or their wishes) : with no husband to study, housekeeping is mere play.
PHRASES
in a brown study absorbed in one's thoughts. [ORIGIN: apparently originally from brown in the sense [gloomy.] ]
ORIGIN Middle English : shortening of Old French estudie (noun), estudier (verb), both based on Latin studium ‘zeal, painstaking application.’
Just copy and pasted that from the dictionary
