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set
transitive verb1: to cause to sit : place in or on a seat2 a: to put (a fowl) on eggs to hatch them b: to put (eggs) for hatching under a fowl or into an incubator3: to place (oneself) in position to start running in a race4 a: to place with care or deliberate purpose and with relative stability <set a ladder against the wall> <set a stone on the grave> b: transplant 1 <set seedlings> c
(1): to make (as a trap) ready to catch prey
(2): to fix (a hook) firmly into the jaw of a fish d: to put aside (as dough containing yeast) for fermenting5: to direct with fixed attention <set your mind to it>6 a: to cause to assume a specified condition, relation, or occupation <slaves were set free> <set the house on fire> b: to cause the start of <set a fire>7 a: to appoint or assign to an office or duty b: post
, station8: to cause to assume a specified posture or position <set the door ajar>9 a: to fix as a distinguishing imprint, sign, or appearance <the years have set their mark on him> b: affix c: apply <set a match to kindling>10: to fix or decide on as a time, limit, or regulation : prescribe <set a wedding day> <set the rules for the game>11 a: to establish as the highest level or best performance <set a record for the half mile> b: to furnish as a pattern or model <set an example of generosity> c: to allot as a task <setting lessons for the children to work upon at home
— Manchester Examiner>12 a: to adjust (a device and especially a measuring device) to a desired position <set the alarm for 7:00> <set a thermostat at 68>
; also : to adjust (as a clock) in conformity with a standard b: to restore to normal position or connection when dislocated or fractured <set a broken bone> c: to spread to the wind <set the sails>13 a: to put in order for use <set a place for a guest> b: to make scenically ready for a performance <set the stage> c
(1): to arrange (type) for printing <set type by hand>
(2): to put into type or its equivalent (as on film) <set the first word in italic>14 a: to put a fine edge on by grinding or honing <set a razor> b: to bend slightly the tooth points of (a saw) alternately in opposite directions c: to sink (the head of a nail) below the surface15: to fix in a desired position (as by heating or stretching)16: to arrange (hair) in a desired style by using implements (as curlers, rollers, or clips) and gels or lotions17 a: to adorn with something affixed or infixed : stud
, dot <clear sky set with stars> b: to fix (as a precious stone) in a border of metal : place in a setting c: to place in a specified literary or dramatic setting<a story set in Paris>18 a: to hold something in regard or esteem at the rate of <sets a great deal by daily exercise> b: to place in a relative rank or category <set duty before pleasure> c: to fix at a certain amount <set bail at $500> d: value
, rate <their promises were set at naught> e: to place as an estimate of worth <set a high value on life>19: to place in relation for comparison or balance <theory set against practice>20 a: to direct to action b: to incite to attack or antagonism <war sets brother against brother>21 a: to place by transporting <was set ashore on the island> b: to put in motion c: to put and fix in a direction <set our faces toward home once more> dof a dog : to point out the position of (game) by holding a fixed attitude22: to defeat (an opponent or a contract) in bridge23 a: to fix firmly : make immobile : give rigid form or condition to <set her jaw in determination> b: to make unyielding or obstinate24: to cause to become firm or solid <set milk for cheese>25: to cause (as fruit or seed) to developintransitive verb1chiefly dialect : sit2: to be becoming : be suitable : fit <the coat sets well>3: to cover and warm eggs to hatch them4 a: to affect one with or as if with weight <the pudding sets heavily on my stomach> b: to place oneself in position in preparation for an action (as running)5of a plant part : to undergo development usually as a result of pollination6 a: to pass below the horizon : go down <the sun sets> b: to come to an end <this century sets with little mirth
— Thomas Fuller>7: to apply oneself to some activity <set to work>8: to have a specified direction in motion : flow
, tend <the wind was setting from Pine Hill to the farm
— Esther Forbes>9of a dog : to indicate the position of game by crouching or pointing10: to dance face to face with another in a square dance <set to your partner and turn>11 a: to become solid or thickened by chemical or physical alteration <the cement sets rapidly> bof a dye or color : to become permanent cof a bone : to become whole by growing together
— set about
: to begin to do
— set apart
1: to reserve to a particular use2: to make noticeable or outstanding
— set aside
— set at
: to mount an attack on : assail <would go although…devils should set at me
— Charlotte Yonge>
— set eyes on
: to catch sight of
— set foot in
: enter
— set foot on
: to step onto
— set forth
1: to give an account or statement of2: to start out on a journey
— set forward
— set in motion
: to give impulse to <sets the story in motion vividly
— Howard Thompson>
— set one's hand to
: to become engaged in
— set one's heart on
: resolve vt 5 <she set her heart on going to medical school>
— set one's house in order
: to organize one's affairs
— set one's sights on
: to determine to pursue
— set one straight
: to correct someone by providing accurate information
— set sail
: to start out on a course
; especially : to begin a voyage <set sail for Bermuda>
— set store by or set store on
: to consider valuable, trustworthy, or worthwhile
— set the stage
: to provide the basis or background <this trend will set the stage for higher earnings>
— set to music
: to provide music or instrumental accompaniment for (a text)
— set upon
: to attack usually with violence <the dogs set upon the trespassers>
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