Main Entry: ¹sit

Pronunciation: \ˈsit\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): sat \ˈsat\; sit·ting

Etymology: Middle English sitten, from Old English sittan; akin to Old High German sizzen to sit, Latin sedēre, Greek hezesthai to sit, hedra seat

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 a : to rest on the buttocks or haunches <sit in a chair> —often used with down b : perch, roost
2 : to occupy a place as a member of an official body <sit in Congress>
3 : to hold a session : be in session for official business
4 : to cover eggs for hatching : brood
5 a : to take a position for having one's portrait painted or for being photographed b : to serve as a model
6 archaic : to have one's dwelling place : dwell
7 a : to lie or hang relative to a wearer <the collar sits awkwardly> b : to affect one with or as if with weight <the food sat heavily on his stomach>
8 : lie, rest <a kettle sitting on the stove>
9 a : to have a location <the house sits well back from the road> b of wind : to blow from a certain direction
10 : to remain inactive or quiescent <the car sits in the garage>
11 : to take an examination
12 : babysit
13 : to please or agree with one —used with with and an adverb <the decision did not sit well with me>transitive verb 1 : to cause to be seated : place on or in a seat —often used with down
2 : to sit on (eggs)
3 : to keep one's seat on <sit a horse>
4 : to provide seats or seating room for

— sit on 1 : to hold deliberations concerning
2 : repress, squelch
3 : to delay action or decision concerning
4 : to wait or be ready for (a specific pitch) in baseball

— sit on one's hands 1 : to withhold applause : fail to show approval or enthusiasm
2 : to fail to take expected or appropriate action

— sit pretty : to be in a highly favorable situation

— sit tight 1 : to maintain one's position without change
2 : to remain quiet in or as if in hiding

— sit under : to attend religious service under the instruction or ministrations of; also : to attend the classes or lectures of