Study Once Meant Eagerness, Not Reading
To study is to learn through reading and thought. The Latin behind it meant zeal or enthusiastic application.
To study is to learn by reading and thinking, and a study is a room for that, or a piece of research. Latin *studium* meant zeal, eagerness or devotion to something — the academic sense came later, from applying that eagerness to books. The original meaning survives in *studious*, which still carries a sense of dedication rather than mere reading. In art a *study* is a preparatory sketch, and in music an *étude* is the same word through French.
- To learn. *Study for the exam.*
- A research project. *A recent study.*
- A room. *In his study.*
- A preparatory sketch. *A study for the painting.*
- Latin — *studium*, zeal. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | study | Study it. |
| Past | studied | Studied. |
| Noun | study | A study. |
| Plural | studies | Studies. |
| Adjective | studious | Studious. |
- She studies medicine.Learning.
- A study of 400 patients.Research.
- Studium meant eagerness.Etymology.
The studium family
- Study — applying eagerness to learning
- Studious — keeping the original sense of dedication
- Student — one who applies themselves
- Studio — a workroom, through Italian
- Étude — a musical study piece, through French
Old French *estudie*, from Latin *studium*, zeal, eagerness or painstaking application.
What did study originally mean?
Zeal or eager application to anything. The academic sense developed from applying that eagerness to books.
Are studio and study related?
Yes. Studio came through Italian from the same Latin studium, and originally meant a room for study.