studwork

[Eng. stud (2), s., and work.] stufa 2. Earnest mental endeavor; absorbed or thoughtful attention; earnestne , eagerne , diligence. 3. The object of study; any particular branch of learning that is studied. "The proper study of mankind is man." Pope: E ay on Man, ii. 2. 4. An apartment or building devoted to study or to literary work; the room or apartment in which a person studies. "Get me a taper in my study, Lucius." Shakesp.: Julius Cæsar, ii. 1. *5. Deep thought or meditation; a reverie; a fit of thought. [BROWN-STUDY.] "The king of Castile, a little confused, and in a study, said, This can I not do with my honor." -Bacon: Hist. Henry VII . 6. One who studies, especially one who studies or learns a part in a play. (Always with a qualifying adjective.) "I'm a confounded quick study , that's one comfort."Dickens: Nicholas Nickle by , ch. xxiii. II. Technically : 1. Art : The work of a student; a finished sketch from nature, generally intended to aid in the composition of a larger and more important work, or as a memorial of some particular object for future use, or to facilitate drawing or composition. Thus a single head or figure, afterward introduced into a large work, would be termed a study for that work; a tree, a group of plants, ., would be a study for a landscape, . 2. Music : A piece of instrumental music, com. posed for the purpose of familiarizing the player with the difficulties of his instrument.