An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1a) The → condition of a → system characterized by a particular set of values for its properties.
1b) The → phase of matter; → solid, → liquid, or → gas.
See also:
→ eigenstate, → energy state, → equation of state, → equation of state parameter, → equilibrium state, → excited state, → ground state, → Hartle-Hawking initial state, → Hoyle state, → macroscopic state, → macrostate, → metastable state, → microscopic state, → microstate, → normal state, → quantum state, → singlet state, → solid state, → solid state physics, → steady state theory, → triplet state, → virial equation of state.

2a) To declare definitely or specifically.

2b) To set forth formally in speech or writing (to state a hypothesis).

2c) To set forth in proper or definite form (Dictionary.com).

Etymology (EN): M.E. stat, partly from M.Fr. estat, partly from
L. status “manner of standing, position, condition,” noun of action from p.p. stem of stare “to stand;” cognate with Pers. istâdan “to stand,” as below.

The sense of “declare in words” (1640s) comes from the notion of “placing
(something on the record), setting in a position.”

Etymology (PE): Estât, from istâdan “to stand;” Mid.Pers. êstâtan; O.Pers./Av. sta- “to stand, stand still; to set” (Sogd. ôštât “to stand”);
Av. hištaiti; cf. Skt. sthâ- “to stand;” Gk. histemi “put, place, weigh,” stasis “a standing still;” L. stare “to stand;” Lith. statau “place;” Goth. standan; PIE base *sta- “to stand”);

hâlat, from Ar. Hâlat “state, quality.”