/sit"ing/ , n.
1. the act of a person or thing that sits.
2. a period of remaining seated, as in posing for a portrait or reading a book.
3. the space on or in which one sits, as in a church.
4. a brooding, as of a hen upon eggs; incubation.
5. the number of eggs on which a bird sits during a single hatching; clutch.
6. a session, as of a court or legislature.
7. the time or space allotted to the serving of a meal to a group, as aboard a ship.
adj.
8. (of a bird) occupying a nest of eggs for hatching.
9. of, for, or suited to sitting: a sitting area in the lobby.
10. holding an official position or office; occupying an appointed or elected seat; incumbent: a sitting pontiff.
11. in session or at work; active: a sitting legislature.
12. sitting pretty , in an auspicious position: He's been sitting pretty since he got that new job.
[ 1175-1225; ME; see SIT 1 , -ING 1 , -ING 2 ]