late 14c., from Old French statue, estatue "(pagan) statue, graven image" (12c.), from Latin statua "image, statue, monumental figure, representation in metal," properly "that which is set up," back-formation from statuere "to cause to stand, set up," from status "a standing, position," from past participle stem of stare "to stand," from PIE *ste-tu-, from root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm." The children's game of statues is attested from 1906.
