set Hear it!

set Definition

set (set)

transitive verb set, 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

Etymology: 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
  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 Idioms

all set

☆

Informal prepared; ready

set about

to begin; start doing

set against

  1. to balance
  2. to compare
  3. to make hostile toward; make an enemy of

set apart

to separate and keep for a purpose; reserve

set aside

  1. to set apart
  2. to discard; dismiss; reject
  3. to annul; declare void

set back

  1. to put (a clock or its hands) to an earlier time, esp. to standard time
  2. to reverse or hinder the progress of
  3. ☆ Slang to cost (a person) a specified sum of money

set down

  1. to place so as to rest upon a surface; put down; let alight
  2. to land (an airplane)
  3. to put in writing or print; record
  4. to establish (rules, principles, etc.)
  5. to consider, ascribe, attribute, etc.

set forth

  1. to publish
  2. to express in words; state

set in

  1. to begin
    1. to blow or flow toward the shore: said of wind, current, etc.
    2. to direct (a ship) toward shore
  3. to insert

set off

    1. to start (a person) doing something
    2. to make begin; start going
  2. to set in relief; make prominent by contrast
  3. to show to advantage; enhance
  4. to cause to explode

set on

  1. to incite or urge on, as to attack to set dogs on intruders
  2. to attack

set out

  1. to limit; define; mark out
  2. to plan; lay out (a town, garden, etc.)
  3. to display, as for sale; exhibit
  4. to plant
  5. to take upon oneself; undertake to set out to prove a theory

set straight

to give the correct facts to; inform properly

set to

  1. to make a beginning; get to work; begin
  2. to begin fighting

set up

    1. to place in an upright position
    2. to place in a high position
    3. to raise to power
    4. to raise
    5. to present (oneself) as being something specified
    6. to present (something) as exemplary
  2. to put together or erect (a tent, machine, etc.)
  3. to establish; found
  4. to make detailed plans for
  5. to begin
  6. to provide with money, etc., as for a business; fit out
  7. to cause to feel stimulated, exhilarated, etc.
  8. to make successful, well-to-do, etc.
  9. to advance or propose (a theory, etc.)
  10. to cause
    1. to put (drinks, etc.) before customers
    2. ☆ to pay for (food, drinks, etc.) for (another or others)
  12. ☆ to put (someone) in a vulnerable situation or position

set upon

to attack, esp. with violence

Set Definition

Set (set)

noun

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

Etymology: Gr Sēth < Egypt stẖ, śtsh

set Synonyms

set

modif.

  1. Firm

    stable, solid, settled; see firm 2.

  2. Determined

    concluded, steadfast, decided; see determined 1, resolute 2.

  3. Obstinate

    immovable, stubborn, relentless; see obstinate 1.

set Synonyms

set

n.

  1. Inclination

    attitude, position, bearing; see inclination 1.

  2. A social group

    clique, coterie, circle; see clique, faction 1, organization 3.

  3. A collection of related items

    kit, assemblage, assortment; see collection 2. See syn. study at clique.

set Synonyms

set

v.

  1. To place

    insert, deposit, arrange; see place 1.

  2. To establish

    anchor, fix, introduce; see establish 2, install.

  3. To become firm

    jell, solidify, congeal; see harden 2, stiffen 1, thicken 1.

  4. To value

    rate, fix a price, estimate; see price, value 2.

  5. To fasten

    lock, make fast, fix; see fasten 1.

  6. To start

    commence, initiate, put in motion; see begin 1.

  7. To brood

    incubate, hatch, hover; see produce 1.

set Usage Examples

Object

  • target: The UK Energy White Paper sets a national target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 60 % by 2050.
  • standard: The high standard set at the trials for Ladies ' football meant the squad selection was very tough.
  • scene: Friday's meeting consisted of setting the scene for the use of Vitamin C in Type 1a.
  • limit: He'll be wanting to set speed limits next.
  • sail: The 2012 Show have set sail on a voyage to access the Zero Point Field at the end of this world.

Preposition: on

hillside: The imaginative interpretation of a detached house set on a coastal hillside with widespread sea views.

Adjective modifier

  • complete: The complete set of working drawings of the firm of Rothwell & Company, late of Bolton.
  • comprehensive: He has seen the Branches ' review through consultation to a comprehensive set of changes being worked through to implementation next year.

Noun used with modifier

data: A new data set is also assumed at the start of each input file.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • up: For example, the cost of setting up a business in the first place can be high.
  • aside: To meet the transitional costs of transforming these departments, the Government is setting aside a modernisation fund of over £ 800 million.
  • out: I have drawn largely on their work in setting out the arrangements below.

Infinitive complement

continue: This trend of consolidation looks set to continue even further.

Preposition: in

  • acre: The Coach House is a detached property, set in two acres, with wonderful views to Hamel Downs.
  • motion: That's nothing compared to what the citizens of the Republic would do if they found out what events he unwittingly set in motion!

Preposition: of

rule: Many of my friends view Christianity as a set of rules, but anyone who knows God knows that the opposite is true.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • up: You can also set up your plan under trust to someone.
  • out: A section sets out how long you may have to stay in hospital.
  • off: We set off in sunshine along an old railroad track that was built to take the Portland stone to the coast for shipping out.
  • aside: Add the garlic and, turn once or twice, then remove from the pan, and set aside.