v. & n.
v. (sitting; past and past part. sat) 1 intr. adopt or be in a position in which the body is supported more or less upright by the buttocks resting on the ground or a raised seat etc., with the thighs usu. horizontal. 2 tr. cause to sit; place in a sitting position. 3 intr. a (of a bird) perch. b (of an animal) rest with the hind legs bent and the body close to the ground. 4 intr. (of a bird) remain on its nest to hatch its eggs. 5 intr. a be engaged in an occupation in which the sitting position is usual. b (of a committee, legislative body, etc.) be engaged in business. c (of an individual) be entitled to hold some office or position (sat as a magistrate). 6 intr. (usu. foll. by for) pose in a sitting position (for a portrait). 7 intr. (foll. by for) be a Member of Parliament for (a constituency). 8 tr. & (foll. by for) intr. Brit. be a candidate for (an examination). 9 intr. be in a more or less permanent position or condition (esp. of inactivity or being out of use or out of place). 10 intr. (of clothes etc.) fit or hang in a certain way. 11 tr. keep or have one's seat on (a horse etc.). 12 intr. act as a babysitter. 13 intr. (often foll. by before) (of an army) take a position outside a city etc. to besiege it.
n. the way a dress etc. sits on a person. be sitting pretty be comfortably or advantageously placed. make a person sit up colloq. surprise or interest a person. sit at a person's feet be a person's pupil. sit at home be inactive. sit back relax one's efforts. sit by look on without interfering. sit down 1 sit after standing. 2 cause to sit. 3 (foll. by under) submit tamely to (an insult etc.). sit-down adj. (of a meal) eaten sitting at a table. sit-down strike a strike in which workers refuse to leave their place of work. sit heavy on the stomach take a long time to be digested. sit in 1 occupy a place as a protest. 2 (foll. by for) take the place of. 3 (foll. by on) be present as a guest or observer at (a meeting etc.). sit-in n. a protest involving sitting in. sit in judgement assume the right of judging others; be censorious. sit loosely on not be very binding. sit on 1 be a member of (a committee etc.). 2 hold a session or inquiry concerning. 3 colloq. delay action about (the government has been sitting on the report). 4 colloq. repress or rebuke or snub (felt rather sat on). sit on the fence see FENCE. sit on one's hands 1 take no action. 2 refuse to applaud. sit out 1 take no part in (a dance etc.). 2 stay till the end of (esp. an ordeal). 3 sit outdoors. 4 outstay (other visitors). sit tight colloq. 1 remain firmly in one's place. 2 not be shaken off or move away or yield to distractions. sit up 1 rise from a lying to a sitting position. 2 sit firmly upright. 3 go to bed later than the usual time. 4 colloq. become interested or aroused etc. sit-up n. a physical exercise in which a person sits up without raising the legs from the ground. sit up and take notice colloq. have one's interest aroused, esp. suddenly. sit-upon colloq. the buttocks. sit well have a good seat in riding. sit well on suit or fit.
[ OE sittan f. Gmc ]