|sed.ə(r), -etə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from setten to set + -er — more at set
1. : one that sets
setter of traps
an accurate setter of type
good setter of fruit
setter of fashions
— used often in combination
brick setter
tile setter
2. : a worker who sets something especially by putting it in readiness for some operation or process or by placing it at a permanent location: as
a. : a sawmill worker who rides on the log carriage of the head saw and adjusts the position of logs so that planks are cut to desired thickness
b. : a textile worker who prepares harnesses for drawing-in
c. : one that places stacks of brick or tile in kilns
d. : one that adjusts paper-cutting machines
e.
(1) : one that erects stone monuments
(2) : one that sets stone blocks in a masonry wall
f. : bed setter
g. : one that sets stones or seals in jewelry
h. : a leather worker who smooths wrinkles from oiled hides with a dull scraper or by machine — called also putter-out, setter-out, striker-out
3. : one of those who place the cocks beak to beak in a cockfight
4. : one that sets out plants
tobacco setter
5. Scots law : lessor
6. : something used in setting: as
a. : a stone for setting an edge on a tool
b. : a fireclay container to hold a single piece (as a plate or saucer) in the kiln
c. : a low short sawhorse that is placed under the axle of a vehicle after it is raised with a jack and that leaves the wheels free to turn
d. : saw set
e. : a device for setting a combination of stops in a pipe organ
7.
a. : one that finds and decoys victims for sharpers or thieves
b. : a police spy : informer
c. : one employed to run up prices at auctions
8. : a large bird dog of a type formerly trained to set on finding game but now expected to point — see english setter , gordon setter , irish setter ; compare pointer
9. setters plural : women — distinguished from pointers