Standing. Rank; condition. It likewise signifies length of time. As, such an officer is of very old standing in the army.
STAPLES, are loops of iron, or bars pointed and bent so as to be driven in at both ends.
STAR-chamber. A chamber in Westminster so called from its roof being painted with gilt stars. It has been rendered proverbially odious to the English nation, on account of the encroachments which were made upon the constitution of the country during the reign of Charles the first.
STAR-fort, in fortification. See [Fort] and [Fortification].
STATE. Condition of any thing; as a weekly state of a regiment, &c.
State of a detachment. The difference between the state of a corps or detachment, and a mere return of the same, consists in this, that the former comprehends the specific casualties, &c. that have occurred; whereas the latter gives an abstract account of the officers and men in a more general and comprehensive manner. The word state is likewise used to express the condition of every thing belonging to the equipment of a regiment; as, state of arms, accoutrements, &c.
STATICS, (Statique, Fr.) A branch of mathematics, which considers weight or gravity, and the motion of bodies arising therefrom. Those who define mechanics to be the science of motion make statics a member thereof, viz. That part which considers the motions of bodies arising from gravity. Others again say, that statics should be the doctrine or theory of motion, and mechanics the application thereof to machines.
STATION, in geometry, a place pitched upon to make an observation, take an angle, or the like.
STATION. See [Post].
STATIQUE, Fr. See [Statics].