Stage

Stage, stāj, n. an elevated platform, esp. in a theatre: the theatre: theatrical representations, the theatrical calling: any place of exhibition or performance: a place of rest on a journey or road: distance between places: degree of progress.—v.t. to represent or place for representation on the stage.—ns. Stage′-coach, a coach that runs regularly with passengers from stage to stage; Stage′-craft, skill in putting a play on the stage; Stage′-door, the actors' entrance to a theatre; Stage′-driv′er, one who drives a stage; Stage′-effect′, theatrical effect; Stage′-fē′ver, a passion to go on the stage; Stage′-fright, nervousness before an audience, esp. for the first time; Stage′-man′ager, one who superintends the production of plays, and has general charge of everything behind the curtain; Stage′-play, a play for representation on a stage; Stage′-play′er, a player on the stage; Stā′ger, a stage-horse: one who has had much experience in anything.—adj. Stage′-struck, sorely smitten with stage-fever.—ns. Stage′-wag′on, a wagon for conveying goods and passengers at fixed times; Stage′-whis′per, a loud whisper, as that of an actor meant to be heard by the audience.—adjs. Stā′gey, Stā′gy, suggesting the stage, theatrical.—ns. Stā′giness; Stā′ging, a structure for workmen in building. [O. Fr. estage (Fr. étage), a story of a house, through a L. form staticus, from stāre, to stand.]