chambers_search-1

Search Chambers

Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.

  



Search Tips & Abbreviations

Search results for 'stand':

stand verb (stood, standing) 1 intrans to be in, remain in or move into an upright position supported by the legs or a base. 2 tr & intr to place or situate, or be placed or situated in a specified position • stood the vase on the table. 3 intrans to be a specified height • The tower stands 300 feet tall. 4 to tolerate or put up with someone or something • How can you stand that awful noise? 5 to be a candidate, eg in an election, etc • stood for S Aberdeen in the bi-election. 6 intrans to be in a specified state or condition • I stand corrected. 7 intrans to be in a position (to do something) • We stand to make a lot of money. 8 intrans to continue to apply or be valid • The decision stands. 9 to withstand or survive something • stood the test of time. noun 1 a base on which something sits or is supported. 2 a stall that goods or services for sale are displayed on. 3 a a structure at a sports ground, etc which has sitting or standing accommodation for spectators; b a platform or similar structure; c (the stand) a witness box. 4 a a rack, frame, etc where coats, hats, umbrellas, etc may be hung; b in compounds • hallstand. 5 an opinion, attitude or course of action that is adopted resolutely • took a stand against animal testing. 6 cricket a partnership between batsmen, expressed in terms of the time it lasts or the number of runs scored. 7 an act of resisting attack. 8 a stop on a tour made by a band, theatre company etc • at The King's for a two-week stand. See also one-night stand. make a stand to adopt a determined attitude (against or towards something) • made a stand for higher pay. Stand at ease! a command given to soldiers on the parade ground, etc that allows them to assume a more relaxed position. stand at or to attention to assume a very erect posture. stand guard to keep a lookout for danger, an enemy, etc. stand on one's own feet or own two feet to be or become independent. stand one's ground to maintain a position resolutely; to refuse to give in. stand someone something colloq to buy it for them • stood me lunch. stand to reason to be the logical or obvious assumption to make. stand trial to go through the usual legal processes in order to establish guilt or innocence. take the stand to enter a witness box and give evidence.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon standan.

stand by 1 to be in a state of readiness to act. 2 to look on without taking the required or expected action • just stood by and never offered to help. See also stand-by.

stand by someone to give them loyalty or support, especially when they are in difficulty.

stand down 1 to resign, especially in favour of someone else. 2 to finish giving evidence from a witness box.

stand for something 1 to be in favour of promoting it. 2 said of a symbol, letter, device, etc: to represent, mean or signify something • The red ribbon stands for AIDS awareness. 3 to tolerate or allow it.

stand in for someone to act as a substitute for them. See also stand-in.

stand off 1 to keep at a distance. 2 naut to steer away from (the shore or an obstacle). See also stand-off.

stand on naut to continue on the same course.

stand on something to insist on it • We don't stand on ceremony.

stand out to be noticeable or prominent.

stand out for something to persist in demanding or seeking (a concession, etc); to hold out.

stand out for or against something to remain resolutely in favour of or opposed to it.

stand over someone or something to watch them or it, especially in a supervisory or controlling manner.

stand to to be ready (to start work, etc).

stand up 1 to assume a standing position. 2 to prove to be valid on examination • an argument that will stand up in court. See also stand-up.

stand someone up colloq to fail to keep an appointment or date with them.

stand up for someone 1 to back them in a dispute, argument, etc. 2 chiefly US to act as best man or be a witness at their wedding • Andy asked Bobby if he would stand up for him.

stand up for something to support it.

stand up to someone to face or resist them.

stand up to something to withstand it (eg hard wear or criticism).