v.
Pronunciation: ' sit
Function: verb
Inflected Form: sat \ ' sat \ ; sit · ting
Etymology: Middle English sitten, from Old English sittan; akin to Old High German sizzen to sit, Latin sed ē re, Greek hezesthai to sit, hedra seat
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 a : to rest on the buttocks or haunches < sit in a chair> ― often used with down b : PERCH , ROOST
2 : to occupy a place as a member of an official body < sit in Congress>
3 : to hold a session : be in session for official business
4 : to cover eggs for hatching : BROOD
5 a : to take a position for having one's portrait painted or for being photographed b : to serve as a model
6 archaic : to have one's dwelling place : DWELL
7 a : to lie or hang relative to a wearer <the collar sit s awkwardly> b : to affect one with or as if with weight <the food sat heavily on his stomach>
8 : LIE , REST <a kettle sitting on the stove>
9 a : to have a location <the house sit s well back from the road> b of wind : to blow from a certain direction
10 : to remain inactive or quiescent <the car sit s in the garage>
11 : to take an examination
12 : BABYSIT
13 : to please or agree with one ― used with with and an adverb <the decision did not sit well with me>
transitive verb
1 : to cause to be seated : place on or in a seat ― often used with down
2 : to sit on (eggs)
3 : to keep one's seat on < sit a horse>
4 : to provide seats or seating room for
– sit on
1 : to hold deliberations concerning
2 : REPRESS , SQUELCH
3 : to delay action or decision concerning
4 : to wait or be ready for (a specific pitch) in baseball
– sit on one's hands
1 : to withhold applause : fail to show approval or enthusiasm
2 : to fail to take expected or appropriate action
– sit pretty : to be in a highly favorable situation
– sit tight
1 : to maintain one's position without change
2 : to remain quiet in or as if in hiding
– sit under : to attend religious service under the instruction or ministrations of also : to attend the classes or lectures of