transitive verb
1.
a. : to raise to and place in a high position
set up a mark to shoot at
set up a sail
set up a flag
b. : to place in view : post
set up a sign
c. : to put forward (as a plan, a theory) for acceptance
d. obsolete : to put up (as for sale or auction)
2.
a. : to make (a loud noise) with the voice
set up a fearful bawling
b. : to cause (a condition) to come into effect
the wind sets up a humming in the wires
the added sugar sets up a fermentation
the splinter set up an inflammation
3.
a. : to make taut (a stay, shroud, hawser)
b. : to raise the pitch of (a string) by tightening
c. : to transpose to a higher key
a baritone aria set up for a tenor
d. obsolete : to heighten the brilliance of (a color)
e. : to tighten firmly (as a nut or a pipe joint)
4.
a. : to place in power or in office
plotting to set him up on the throne
a rival pope was set up
b. : to place in a position of hostility or opposition : oppose
degree of presumption … to set himself up against the authority of so many great men — T.L.Peacock
c. : to raise from depression : elate , gratify
set up by unexpected praise from her husband
d. : to make proud or vain
much set up by flattery
e. : to put forward or extol as a model
f. : to claim (oneself) to be
sets himself up as an authority on art
or to be capable of
literary journalist … seldom setting up to pass judgment on major writers — British Book News
5.
a. : to place upright : erect
set up a building
set up a post
set up a roadblock
set up a tent
set up a card table
b. : to assemble the parts of and erect in position for use or operation
set up a printing press
c. : to put (a machine) in readiness or adjustment for a tooling operation
6.
a. archaic : to put aside and save for future use
b. : to erect (a perpendicular or a figure) on a base in a drawing or diagram
7.
a. : found , institute , inaugurate
set up a religious order
set up rules and bylaws for a club
set up a school
set up a regulating committee
b. : to put (as a way of living or a means of livelihood) in operation especially for oneself
set up housekeeping
set up shop in a new neighborhood
c. : establish 11
d. : to clear (a route) for the free passage of a train
8.
a. : to provide with means or opportunity of making a living
set his son-in-law up in business
b. : to place in or restore to comparative prosperity or a chance of success
c. : to bring or restore to normal health and strength
d. : to cause (one) to take on a soldierly or athletic appearance especially through drill
set up recruits
9.
a. : to make carefully worked out plans for
set up a bank robbery
: prearrange
b. : to execute one or more plays in preparation for scoring (a goal or touchdown)
10. : to pole (a boat) in hunting waterfowl
11.
a. : to pay for (drinks)
b. : to treat (someone) to something
set him up to a meal and new suit
intransitive verb
1. : to come into active operation or use
2. : to begin business
saved enough to set up for himself as a contractor
3. : to make pretensions : claim to be or be capable
are you setting up for a wit now
4. : to solidify too rapidly
ways to avoid setting up in the cement mixer
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- set up one's staff