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set (set)

transitive verb set, setting set′·ting

  1. to place in a sitting position; cause to sit; seat
    1. to cause (a fowl) to sit on eggs in order to hatch them
    2. to put (eggs) under a fowl or in an incubator to hatch them
  3. to put in a certain place or position; cause to be, lie, stand, etc. in a place: set the book on the table
  4. to put in the proper or designated place: to set a wheel on an axle
  5. to put or move (a part of the body) into or on a specified place: to set foot on land
  6. to bring (something) into contact with something else: to burn a paper by setting a match to it
    1. Archaic to put in writing; record
    2. to put or affix (one's signature, seal, etc.) to a document
  8. to cause to be in some condition or relation; specif.,
    1. to cause to be or become: to set a house on fire
    2. to put in a certain physical position: to set a book on end
  9. to cause to be in working or proper condition; put in order; arrange; fix; adjust; specif.,
    1. to fix (a net, trap, etc.) in a position to catch animals
    2. to fix (a sail) in a position to catch the wind
    3. to put (a part of a device) in position to work: to set a chuck on a lathe
    4. to adjust so as to be in a desired position for use; regulate: to set a radio dial, a clock, a thermostat, etc.
    5. to place (oneself) in readiness for action
    6. to put an edge on (a knife, razor, etc.)
    7. to adjust (a saw) by slightly deflecting alternate teeth in opposite directions
    8. to sink (the head of a nail, screw, etc.) below a surface
    9. to arrange (a table) with knives, forks, plates, etc. for a meal
    10. to put (a dislocated joint or fractured bone) into normal position for healing, mending, etc.
  10. to cause to be in a settled or firm position; specif.,
    1. to put or press into a fixed or rigid position: to set one's jaw
    2. to cause (one's mind, purpose, etc.) to be fixed, unyielding, determined, etc.
    3. to cause to become firm or hard in consistency: pectin sets jelly
    4. to make (a color) fast in dyeing
    5. to mount, embed, or fix (gems) in rings, bracelets, etc.
    6. to cover, encrust, or decorate (gold, watches, etc.) with gems
    7. to fix firmly in a frame: set the glass in the window
    8. to arrange (hair) in the desired style with lotions, hairpins, etc. and let it dry
    9. to transplant (a shoot, etc.)
  11. to cause to take a particular direction; specif.,
    1. to cause to move as specified; propel: the current set them eastward
    2. to point, direct, or face as specified: to set one's face toward home
    3. to direct (one's desires, hopes, heart, etc.) with serious attention (in or on someone or something)
  12. to appoint, establish, ordain, etc.; specif.,
    1. to post or station for certain duties: to set sentries at a gate
    2. to place in a position of authority
    3. to fix (limits or boundaries)
    4. to fix or appoint (a time) for something to happen: to set Friday as the deadline
    5. to fix a time for (an event)
    6. to establish (a regulation, law, record, etc.) or prescribe (a form, order, etc.)
    7. to give or furnish (an example, pattern, etc.) for others
    8. to introduce (a fashion, style, etc.)
    9. to allot or assign (a task, lesson, etc.) for work or study
    10. to fix (a quota, as of work) for a given period
    11. to begin to apply (oneself) to a task, etc.
  13. to estimate or fix; place mentally; specif.,
    1. to fix (the amount of a price, fine, etc.)
    2. to fix (a price, fine, etc.) at a specified amount
    3. to estimate or value: to set at naught all that one has won
    4. to fix or put as an estimate: to set little store by someone
  14. Baking to put aside (leavened dough) to rise
  15. Bridge to prevent (one's opponents) from making their bid
  16. Hunting to point toward the position of (game): said of a dog
  17. Music to write or fit (words to music or music to words)
  18. Printing
    1. to arrange (type) for printing
    2. to produce or reproduce (printed matter) by computer or photocomposition
    3. to put (a piece of writing) into print
  19. Theater
    1. to place (a scene) in a given locale
    2. to make up or arrange (scenery) on the stage
    3. to arrange the scenery and properties on: the stage

Origin: ME setten < OE settan (akin to Ger setzen & Goth satjan < Gmc *satjan), caus. formation “to cause to sit” < base of sit

intransitive verb

  1. to sit on eggs: said of a fowl
  2. to become firm or hard in consistency: cement sets after several hours
  3. to become fast: said of dye, color, etc.
    1. to begin to move, travel, etc.: with out, forth, on, off, or forward
    2. to begin or get started: to set to work
  5. to have a certain direction; tend
    1. to make an apparent descent toward and below the horizon; go down: the setting sun
    2. to wane; decline
  7. to hang, fit, or suit in a certain way: a jacket that sets well
  8. to grow together; mend: said of a broken bone
  9. Now Dial. to sit
  10. Bot. to begin to develop into a fruit after pollination
  11. Hunting to point toward the position of game: said of a dog

adjective

  1. fixed or appointed in advance: a set time
  2. established; prescribed, as by authority
  3. deliberate; intentional; purposeful
  4. conventional; stereotyped; not spontaneous: a set speech
  5. fixed; motionless; rigid; immovable
    1. resolute; determined
    2. obstinate; unyielding
  7. firm or hard in consistency
  8. ready to begin some action or activity: get set to run
  9. formed; put together; built

noun

  1. a setting or being set; specif.,
    1. the act of a dog in setting game
    2. a becoming hard or firm in consistency
  2. the way or position in which a thing is set; specif.,
    1. direction; course, as of a current
    2. tendency; inclination
    3. change of form resulting from pressure, twisting, strain, etc.; warp; bend
    4. sideways deflection in opposite directions of the alternate teeth of a saw
    5. the way in which an article of clothing fits or hangs
    6. the position or attitude of a limb or part of the body: the set of her head
    7. Psychol. a readiness to respond or to prepare for a certain definite kind of activity
  3. something which is set; specif.,
    1. a twig or slip for planting or grafting
    2. a young plant; esp., a dwarfed bulb, as of an onion, dried and kept over winter for early spring planting
    3. a number of backdrops, flats, properties, etc. constructed and arranged for a scene in a play, film, etc.
    1. the act or a style of setting hair
    2. the lotion, etc. used for this purpose
      in full hair set
  5. a group of persons; specif.,
    1. a company or group with common habits, occupation, interests, etc.: a set of smugglers
    2. an exclusive or select group; clique; coterie
    3. the number of couples needed for a country or square dance
  6. a collection of things belonging, issued, used, or growing together; specif.,
    1. a number of tools or instruments used together: a carpentry set
    2. the collection of objects necessary for playing a game, esp. a parlor game
    3. a number of magazines, books, etc., often in a similar format, by one author, on one subject, etc.
    4. a matching collection of china, silverware, etc.
    5. the complement of natural or artificial teeth of a person or animal
    6. a clutch of eggs
    7. the figures that make up a country or square dance
    8. several pieces of dance music played, or danced to, in quick succession
    9. receiving equipment for radio or television assembled, as in a cabinet, for use
    10. Tennis a subdivision of a match (), consisting of a series of at least six games
  7. Math. a prescribed collection of points, numbers, or other objects that satisfy a given condition
  8. Printing the width of the body of a piece of type

Set (set)

noun

Egypt. Myth. a god of evil, represented as having an animal's head with square-tipped ears

Origin: Gr Sēth < Egypt stẖ, śtsh

set 1 (sĕt)

verb set set, setting set·ting, sets
verb, transitive
  1. To put in a specified position; place: set a book on a table.
  2. To put into a specified state: set the prisoner at liberty.
  3. a. To put into a stable position: set the fence post into a bed of concrete.
    b. To fix firmly or in an immobile manner: He set his jaw and concentrated on flying the plane through the storm.
  4. To restore to a proper and normal state when dislocated or broken: set a broken arm.
  5. a. To adjust for proper functioning.
    b. To adjust (a saw) by deflecting the teeth.
    c. Nautical To spread open to the wind: set the sails.
  6. To adjust according to a standard.
  7. To adjust (an instrument or device) to a specific point or calibration: set an alarm clock.
  8. To arrange properly for use: set a place for a dinner guest; set a table.
  9. To apply equipment, such as curlers and clips, to (hair) in order to style.
  10. Printing
    a. To arrange (type) into words and sentences preparatory to printing; compose.
    b. To transpose into type.
  11. Music
    a. To compose (music) to fit a given text.
    b. To write (words) to fit a given melodic line.
  12. To arrange scenery on (a theater stage).
  13. To prescribe the unfolding of (a drama or narrative, for instance) in a specific place: a play that is set in Venice.
  14. To prescribe or establish: set a precedent.
  15. To prescribe as a time for: set June 6 as the day of the invasion.
  16. To detail or assign (someone) to a particular duty, service, or station: set the child to cleaning the closets; set guards around the perimeter.
  17. To incite to hostile action: a war that set families against one another.
  18. a. To establish as the highest level of performance: set a world aviation record.
    b. To establish as a model: A parent must set a good example for the children.
  19. a. To put in a mounting; mount: set an emerald in a pendant.
    b. To apply jewels to; stud: a tiara that was set with diamonds.
  20. To cause to sit.
  21. 21.
    a. To put (a hen) on eggs for the purpose of hatching them.
    b. To put (eggs) beneath a hen or in an incubator.
  22. 22. Sports To position (oneself) in such a way as to be ready to start running a race.
  23. 23. Sports To pass (a volleyball), usually with the fingertips, in an arc close to the net so that a teammate can drive it over the net.
  24. 24.
    a. To value or regard something at the rate of: She sets a great deal by good nutrition.
    b. To fix at a given amount: The judge set bail for the defendant at $50,000.
    c. To make as an estimate of worth: We set a high value on human life.
  25. 25. To point to the location of (game) by holding a fixed attitude. Used of a hunting dog.
  26. 26. Botany To produce, as after pollination: set seed.
  27. 27.
    a. To prepare (a trap) for catching prey.
    b. To fix (a hook) firmly into a fish's jaw.
verb, intransitive
  1. To disappear below the horizon: The sun set at seven that evening.
  2. To diminish or decline; wane.
  3. To sit on eggs. Used of fowl.
  4. a. To become fixed; harden. See Synonyms at coagulate.
    b. To become permanent. Used of dye.
  5. To become whole; knit. Used of a broken bone.
  6. Botany To mature or develop, as after pollination.
  7. Nonstandard To sit: “If Emmett drives, I could set up front” (Bobbie Ann Mason).
  8. To position oneself preparatory to an action, such as running a race.
adjective
  1. Fixed or established by agreement: a set time for the launching.
  2. Established by convention: followed set procedures for filing a grievance.
  3. Established deliberately; intentional: Our set purpose is to win the conflict.
  4. Fixed and rigid: “His bearded face already has a set, hollow look” (Conor Cruise O'Brien).
  5. Unwilling or very reluctant to change: He is set in his ways.
  6. a. Intent and determined: “He is dead set against rushing abroad to build a plant” (Fortune).
    b. Ready: We are set to leave early tomorrow morning.
noun
  1. a. The act or process of setting.
    b. The condition resulting from setting.
  2. The manner in which something is positioned: the set of her cap.
  3. A permanent firming or hardening of a substance, as by cooling.
  4. The deflection of the teeth of a saw.
  5. a. The carriage or bearing of a part of the body.
    b. A particular psychological state, usually that of anticipation or preparedness: “The mental set of an audience is crucial to his performance” (Psychology Today).
  6. A descent below the horizon.
  7. The direction or course of wind or water.
  8. A seedling, slip, or cutting that is ready for planting.
  9. The act of arranging hair by waving and curling it.
  10. Sports The act of setting a volleyball for a teammate.
Phrasal Verbs: set about To begin or start: set about solving the problem. set apart To reserve for a specific use. To make noticeable: character traits that set her apart. set aside To separate and reserve for a special purpose. To discard or reject. To declare invalid; annul or overrule: The court has set aside the conviction. set at To attack or assail: The dogs set at the fox. set back To slow down the progress of; hinder. Informal To cost: That coat set me back $1,000. set by To reserve for future use: It is wise to set food and money by in case of a future emergency. set down To cause to sit; seat: Set the baby down here. To put in writing; record: We set down the facts.
a. To regard; consider: Just set him down as a sneak.
b. To assign to a cause; attribute: Let's set the error down to inexperience.
To land (an aircraft): The pilot set the plane down hard. Baseball To put out (a batter); retire. Used of a pitcher. set forth To present for consideration; propose: set forth a sound plan. To express in words: She has set forth her ideas. set forward To begin a journey. set in To insert: set in the sleeve of a gown. To begin to happen or be apparent: “Evening was setting in as I took the road over Mountain Top” (Charles Siebert). To move toward the shore. Used of wind or water. set off
a. To give rise to; cause to occur: set off a chemical reaction.
b. To cause to explode: set off a bomb.
c. To make suddenly or demonstrably angry: The clerk's indifference finally set me off.
To indicate as being different; distinguish: features setting him off from the crowd. To direct attention to by contrast; accentuate: set off a passage with italics. To counterbalance, counteract, or compensate for: Our dismay at her leaving was set off by our knowing that she was happy. To start on a journey: set off for Europe. set out To begin an earnest attempt; undertake: He set out to understand why the plan had failed. To lay out systematically or graphically: set out a terrace. To display for exhibition or sale. To plant: set out seedlings. To start a journey: She set out at dawn for town. set to To begin working energetically; start in. To begin fighting. set up To place in an upright position.
a. To elevate; raise.
b. To raise in authority or power; invest with power: They set the general up as a dictator.
c. To put (oneself) forward as; claim to be: He has set himself up as an authority on the English language.
d. To assemble and erect: set up a new machine.
To establish; found: set up a charity. To cause: They set up howls of protest over new taxes. To establish in business by providing capital, equipment, or other backing. Informal
a. To treat (someone) to drinks.
b. To pay for (drinks).
Informal To stimulate or exhilarate: a victory that really set the team up. To lay plans for: set up a kidnapping. Informal To put (someone else) into a compromising situation by deceit or trickery: Swindlers have set me up. Sports To make a pass to (a teammate), creating a scoring opportunity. set upon To attack violently: Guards set dogs upon the escaping prisoners.

Origin: Middle English setten, from Old English settan; see sed- in Indo-European roots.

Usage Note: Originally set meant “to cause (something) to sit,” so that it is now in most cases a transitive verb: She sets the book on the table. He sets the table. Sit is generally an intransitive verb: He sits at the table. There are some exceptions: The sun sets (not sits). A hen sets (or sits) on her eggs.

set 2 (sĕt)

noun
  1. A group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used: a chess set.
  2. A group of persons sharing a common interest: the high-school set.
  3. A group of books or periodicals published as a unit.
  4. a. A number of couples required for participation in a square dance.
    b. The movements constituting a square dance.
  5. a. The scenery constructed for a theatrical performance.
    b. The entire enclosure in which a movie is filmed; the sound stage.
  6. Music
    a. A session of music, typically dance music, played before an intermission.
    b. The music so played.
  7. The collective receiving apparatus assembled to operate a radio or television.
  8. Mathematics A collection of distinct elements having specific common properties: a set of positive integers.
  9. Sports
    a. A group of games constituting one division or unit of a match, as in tennis.
    b. An offensive formation in football or basketball.

Origin: Middle English sette, from Old French, from Medieval Latin secta, retinue, from Latin, faction; see sect .

Browse dictionary definitions near set

  1. Sessions
  2. sesterce
  3. sestertia
  4. sestertium
  5. sestet
  6. sestina
  7. sestinas
  8. sestine
  9. Sesto San Giovanni
  10. Sestos
  1. » set
  2. set (synonyms)
  3. SET (computer)
  4. set (medical)
  5. set (idioms)
  6. set (science)
  7. set a precedent
  8. set about
  9. set about (idioms)
  10. set against