I. ˈsēt, usu -ēd.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English sete, from Old Norse sæti, from the stem of sitja to sit — more at sit
1.
a. : a special chair (as a throne) of one in eminence ; also : the status of which such chair is an emblem
b. : something (as a chair, stool, bench) intended to be sat in or on
c. : the particular part of something on which one rests in sitting
the seat of a chair
a worn trouser seat
also : the part of the body that bears the weight in sitting : the gluteal region : buttocks
d. : form 6a
2.
a. : the place on or at which one sits or which is available for sitting
rented a block of seats for the season
a seat by the fire
especially : an assigned or regularly assumed sitting place
had a seat on the aisle
father's seat at table
b. : a right of sitting (as in a deliberative body)
held a seat in congress for over 20 years
c. : membership on an exchange
3. : a place occupied by something : a resting place : abode
starry seats of bliss
as
a. : the see of a bishop
b. : a place (as a city) from which authority is exercised : capital
c. : a bodily part in which some function or condition is centered
the seat of the pain
the intestine is the chief seat of digestion
d. : the status of an area in respect to factors (as climate) that determine its desirability for a purpose (as habitation)
a home with a charming seat among gentle wooded slopes
e. : a place where something specified is prevalent : center
the seat of shoe manufacture in New England
a seat of learning
has long been a seat of war
f. : a superior rural residence : countryseat
g. obsolete : location in space or on the earth's surface : geographic location
4. Scotland : court of session
5. : posture in or way of sitting (as on horseback)
a rider with excellent seat and hands
6.
a. obsolete : a place prepared for the erection of something (as a building)
b. : the part at or forming the base of something
the seat of a pillar
c. : a part or surface on which another part or surface rests : seating
a rubber-cushioned engine seat
formed a new seat for the valve
d. : floor 8
e. : the part of a shoe sole to which the heel is secured
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1.
a. : to establish or install in a seat of special dignity or office
the queen was seated the same year
b.
(1) : to cause to sit : assist in sitting down : find a seat for
seated the guests at small tables
(2) : to provide seats or seating for
a theater seating 1000 persons
also : to provide with seats
seat a church
c. : to sit (oneself) down
seat yourself by the window and watch the rain
d. : to put (as oneself) in a sitting position
2.
a. : to establish in a place of residence : settle
b. archaic : to provide (as a country) with inhabitants
3. : to repair the seat of : provide a new seat for
seated the chairs with strong cane
4. : to adjust on or in relation to a seat : fit to or with a seat
seat a valve
intransitive verb
1. archaic : to take one's seat or place
2. : to fit correctly on a seat
the lid must seat accurately
this valve does not seat well
III. noun
: a precise or accurate contact between parts or surfaces
•
- by the seat of one's pants