store

—storer, n.

/stawr, stohr/, n., v., stored, storing, adj.

n.

1. an establishment where merchandise is sold, usually on a retail basis.

2. a grocery: We need bread and milk from the store.

3. a stall, room, floor, or building housing or suitable for housing a retail business.

4. a supply or stock of something, esp. one for future use.

5. stores, supplies of food, clothing, or other requisites, as for a household, inn, or naval or military forces.

6. Chiefly Brit. a storehouse or warehouse.

7. quantity, esp. great quantity; abundance, or plenty: a rich store of grain.

8. in store,

a. in readiness or reserve.

b. about to happen; imminent: There is a great deal of trouble in store for them if they persist in their ways.

9. set or lay store by, to have high regard for; value; esteem: She sets great store by good character.

v.t.

10. to supply or stock with something, as for future use.

11. to accumulate or put away, for future use (usually fol. by up or away).

12. to deposit in a storehouse, warehouse, or other place for keeping.

13. Computers. to put or retain (data) in a memory unit.

v.i.

14. to take in or hold supplies, goods, or articles, as for future use.

15. to remain fresh and usable for considerable time on being stored: Flour stores well.

adj.

16. bought from a store; commercial: a loaf of store bread.

[1225-75; (v.) ME storen, aph. var. of astoren < OF estorer < L instaurare to set up, renew, equiv. to in- IN-² + staur- (akin to Gk staurós across and to STEER¹) + -are inf. suffix; (n.) ME, aph. var. of astore < OF estore, deriv. of estorer]

Syn. 11. amass, save, husband; hoard, stockpile.

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