I. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from gerund of sitten to sit
1. : an act of one that sits ; especially : a single occasion of continuous sitting
read a book at one sitting
finished the portrait in three sittings
turkey supper at the church … with sittings at 5:30 and 6:30 — Springfield (Massachusetts) Daily News
2.
a. : a brooding over or time or season for brooding over eggs for hatching
b. : setting 10
3. : the actual presence or meeting of a body of persons in their seats with authority to transact business : session
a sitting of a court
sitting of the legislature
— often used in plural
4. : a space occupied by or allotted for one person (as in a church or theater)
a space of 18 in. in the length of the pew is considered a sitting — J.H.Frank
5. : séance b
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from present participle of sitten to sit
1. : that is setting
sitting hen
2. : occupying a judicial or legislative seat : being in office
the first business of any sitting politician is, naturally, to be reelected — W.S.White
3. Britain : being in occupancy : holding tenancy
prices to sitting tenants are often very favorable — advt
4. : easily hit or played
sitting target
sitting game in spades