I. ˈset verb
( set ; set·ting )
Etymology: Middle English setten, from Old English settan; akin to Old High German sezzen to set, Old English sittan to sit
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. : to cause to sit : place in or on a seat
2.
a. : to put (a fowl) on eggs to hatch them
b. : to put (eggs) for hatching under a fowl or into an incubator
3. : to place (oneself) in position to start running in a race
4.
a. : to place with care or deliberate purpose and with relative stability
set a ladder against the wall
set a stone on the grave
b. : transplant 1
set seedlings
c.
(1) : to make (as a trap) ready to catch prey
(2) : to fix (a hook) firmly into the jaw of a fish
d. : to put aside (as dough containing yeast) for fermenting
5. : to direct with fixed attention
set your mind to it
6.
a. : to cause to assume a specified condition, relation, or occupation
slaves were set free
set the house on fire
b. : to cause the start of
set a fire
7.
a. : to appoint or assign to an office or duty
b. : post , station
8. : to cause to assume a specified posture or position
set the door ajar
9.
a. : to fix as a distinguishing imprint, sign, or appearance
the years have set their mark on him
b. : affix
c. : apply
set a match to kindling
10. : to fix or decide on as a time, limit, or regulation : prescribe
set a wedding day
set the rules for the game
11.
a. : to establish as the highest level or best performance
set a record for the half mile
b. : to furnish as a pattern or model
set an example of generosity
c. : to allot as a task
setting lessons for the children to work upon at home — Manchester Examiner
12.
a. : to adjust (a device and especially a measuring device) to a desired position
set the alarm for 7:00
set a thermostat at 68
also : to adjust (as a clock) in conformity with a standard
b. : to restore to normal position or connection when dislocated or fractured
set a broken bone
c. : to spread to the wind
set the sails
13.
a. : to put in order for use
set a place for a guest
b. : to make scenically ready for a performance
set the stage
c.
(1) : to arrange (type) for printing
set type by hand
(2) : to put into type or its equivalent (as on film)
set the first word in italic
14.
a. : to put a fine edge on by grinding or honing
set a razor
b. : to bend slightly the tooth points of (a saw) alternately in opposite directions
c. : to sink (the head of a nail) below the surface
15. : to fix in a desired position (as by heating or stretching)
16. : to arrange (hair) in a desired style by using implements (as curlers, rollers, or clips) and gels or lotions
17.
a. : to adorn with something affixed or infixed : stud , dot
clear sky set with stars
b. : to fix (as a precious stone) in a border of metal : place in a setting
18.
a. : to hold something in regard or esteem at the rate of
set s a great deal by daily exercise
b. : to place in a relative rank or category
set duty before pleasure
c. : to fix at a certain amount
set bail at $500
d. : value , rate
their promises were set at naught
e. : to place as an estimate of worth
set a high value on life
19. : to place in relation for comparison or balance
theory set against practice
20.
a. : to direct to action
b. : to incite to attack or antagonism
war set s brother against brother
21.
a. : to place by transporting
was set ashore on the island
b. : to put in motion
c. : to put and fix in a direction
set our faces toward home once more
d. of a dog : to point out the position of (game) by holding a fixed attitude
22. : to defeat (an opponent or a contract) in bridge
23.
a. : to fix firmly : make immobile : give rigid form or condition to
set her jaw in determination
b. : to make unyielding or obstinate
24. : to cause to become firm or solid
set milk for cheese
25. : to cause (as fruit or seed) to develop
intransitive verb
1. chiefly dialect : sit
2. : to be becoming : be suitable : fit
the coat set s well
3. : to cover and warm eggs to hatch them
4.
a. : to affect one with or as if with weight
the pudding set s heavily on my stomach
b. : to place oneself in position in preparation for an action (as running)
5. of a plant part : to undergo development usually as a result of pollination
6.
a. : to pass below the horizon : go down
the sun set s
b. : to come to an end
this century set s with little mirth — Thomas Fuller
7. : to apply oneself to some activity
set to work
8. : to have a specified direction in motion : flow , tend
the wind was setting from Pine Hill to the farm — Esther Forbes
9. of a dog : to indicate the position of game by crouching or pointing
10. : to dance face to face with another in a square dance
set to your partner and turn
11.
a. : to become solid or thickened by chemical or physical alteration
the cement set s rapidly
b. of a dye or color : to become permanent
c. of a bone : to become whole by growing together
•
- set about
- set apart
- set aside
- set at
- set eyes on
- set foot in
- set foot on
- set forth
- set forward
- set in motion
- set one's hand to
- set one's heart on
- set one's house in order
- set one's sights on
- set one's teeth on edge
- set one straight
- set sail
- set store by
- set the stage
- set to music
- set upon
II. noun
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : the act or action of setting
b. : the condition of being set
2. : a number of things of the same kind that belong or are used together
an electric train set
3.
a. : mental inclination, tendency, or habit : bent
a set toward mathematics
b. : a state of psychological preparedness to perceive or respond to an anticipated stimulus or situation
4. : direction of flow
the set of the wind
5. : form or carriage of the body or of its parts
her face took on a cynical set — Raymond Kennedy
6. : the manner of fitting or of being placed or suspended
in order to give the skirt a pretty set — Mary J. Howell
7. : amount of deflection from a straight line
set of a saw's teeth
8. : permanent change of form (as of metal) due to repeated or excessive stress
9. : the act or result of arranging hair by curling or waving
10. also sett ˈset
a. : a young plant or rooted cutting ready for transplanting
b. : a small bulb, corm, or tuber or a piece of tuber used for propagation
onion set s
c. : the blossoms of a plant that have set fruit as a result of fertilization
11. or sett : the burrow of a badger
12. : the width of the body of a piece of type
13. : an artificial setting for a scene of a theatrical or film production
14. also sett : a rectangular paving stone of sandstone or granite
15. : a division of a tennis match won by the side that wins at least six games beating the opponent by two games or by winning a tiebreaker
16. : a collection of books or periodicals forming a unit
17. : a clutch of eggs
18. : the basic formation in a country-dance or square dance
19. : a session of music (as jazz or dance music) usually followed by an intermission ; also : the music played at one session
20. : a group of persons associated by common interests
21. : a collection of elements and especially mathematical ones (as numbers or points) — called also class
22. : an apparatus of electronic components assembled so as to function as a unit
a television set
23. : a usually offensive formation in football or basketball
24. : a group of a specific number of repetitions of a particular exercise
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English sett, from Old English gesett, past participle of settan
Date: 14th century
1. : intent , determined
set upon going
2. : intentional , premeditated
did it of set purpose
3. : fixed by authority or appointment : prescribed, specified
set hours of study
4. : reluctant to change
set in their ways
5.
a. : immovable , rigid
set frown
b. : built-in
a set tub
6. : settled, persistent
set defiance
7. : being in readiness : prepared
set for an early morning start