set; setting
Definition of set
(Entry 1 of 3)
1
: to cause to sit : place in or on a seat
2a
: to put (a fowl) on eggs to hatch them
b
: to put (eggs) for hatching under a fowl or into an incubator
3
: to place (oneself) in position to start running in a race
4a
: 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 sense 1
set seedlings
c(1)
: to make (a trap) ready to catch prey
(2)
: to fix (a hook) firmly into the jaw of a fish
d
: to put aside (something, such as dough containing yeast) for fermenting
5
: to direct with fixed attention
set your mind to it
6a
: 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
8
: to cause to assume a specified posture or position
set the door ajar
9a
: 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
11a
: 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
12a
: 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 (something, such 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
13a
: 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
14a
: 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 surface
15
: to fix in a desired position (as by heating or stretching)
16
: to arrange (hair) in a desired style by using implements (such as curlers, rollers, or clips) and gels or lotions
b
: to fix (something, such 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
18a
: 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
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
20a
: to direct to action
b
: to incite to attack or antagonism
war sets brother against brother
21a
: 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
d
of a dog
: to point out the position of (game) by holding a fixed attitude
22
: to defeat (an opponent or a contract) in bridge
23a
: to fix firmly : make immobile : give rigid form or condition to
set her jaw in determination
b
: to make unyielding or obstinate
24
: to cause to become firm or solid
set milk for cheese
25
: to cause (fruit or seed) to develop
2
: to be becoming : be suitable : fit
the coat sets well
3
: to cover and warm eggs to hatch them
4a
: 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 (such as running)
5
of a plant part
: to undergo development usually as a result of pollination
6a
: 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
9
of a dog
: to indicate the position of game by crouching or pointing
10
: to dance face to face with another in a square dance
set to your partner and turn
11a
: to become solid or thickened by chemical or physical alteration
the cement sets rapidly
b
of a dye or color
: to become permanent
c
of a bone
: to become whole by growing together
set about
set apart
set aside
set at
set eyes on
set foot in
set foot on
set forth
set forward
set in motion
set one's hand to
set one's heart on
set one's house in order
set one's sights on
set one's teeth on edge
set one straight
set sail
set store by
or set store on
set the stage
set to music
set upon
: to begin to do
1
: to reserve to a particular use
2
: to make noticeable or outstanding
: to mount an attack on : assail
would go although … devils should set at me— Charlotte Yonge
: to catch sight of
: enter
: to step onto
1
: to give an account or statement of
2
: to start out on a journey
1
: further
2
: to start out on a journey
: to give impulse to
sets the story in motion vividly— Howard Thompson
: to become engaged in
: resolve sense transitive 5
she set her heart on going to medical school
: to organize one's affairs
: to determine to pursue
: to correct someone by providing accurate information
: to start out on a course
especially
: to begin a voyage
set sail for Bermuda
: to consider valuable, trustworthy, or worthwhile
: to provide the basis or background
this trend will set the stage for higher earnings
: to provide music or instrumental accompaniment for (a text)
: to attack usually with violence
the dogs set upon the trespassers
set
nounDefinition of set (Entry 2 of 3)
1a
: the act or action of setting
b
: the condition of being set
2
: a number of things of the same kind that belong or are used together
an electric train set
3a
: mental inclination, tendency, or habit : bent
a set toward mathematics
b
: a state of psychological preparedness to perceive or respond to an anticipated stimulus or situation
4
: direction of flow
the set of the wind
5
: form or carriage of the body or of its parts
her face took on a cynical set— Raymond Kennedy
6
: the manner of fitting or of being placed or suspended
in order to give the skirt a pretty set— Mary J. Howell
7
: amount of deflection from a straight line
set of a saw's teeth
8
: permanent change of form (as of metal) due to repeated or excessive stress
9
: the act or result of arranging hair by curling or waving
10
or less commonly sett \
ˈset
\
a
: a young plant or rooted cutting ready for transplanting
b
: a small bulb, corm, or tuber or a piece of tuber used for propagation
onion sets
c
: the blossoms of a plant that have set fruit as a result of fertilization
11
or sett
: the burrow of a badger
12
: the width of the body of a piece of type
13
: an artificial setting for a scene of a theatrical or film production
14
or less commonly sett
: a rectangular paving stone of sandstone or granite
15
: a division of a tennis match won by the side that wins at least six games beating the opponent by two games or by winning a tiebreaker
16
: a collection of books or periodicals forming a unit
17
: a clutch of eggs
18
: the basic formation in a country-dance or square dance
19
: a session of music (such as jazz or dance music) usually followed by an intermission
also
: the music played at one session
20
: a group of persons associated by common interests
21
: a collection of elements and especially mathematical ones (such as numbers or points)
— called also class
22
: an apparatus of electronic components assembled so as to function as a unit
a television set
23
: a usually offensive formation in football or basketball
24
: a group of a specific number of repetitions of a particular exercise
set
adjectiveDefinition of set (Entry 3 of 3)
1
: intent, determined
set upon going
2
: intentional, premeditated
did it of set purpose
3
: fixed by authority, appointment, or agreement
The wedding is set [=scheduled] for early June Students can drop in during set [=designated] office hours
4
: reluctant to change
set in their ways
6
: settled, persistent
set defiance
7a
: ready for action, use, etc. : prepared
We were set for an early morning start The table is set. Should I bring out the food?
—often used in the phrase all set Are we all set [=completely ready] to leave?We replaced the belt, so your car should be all set. [=fully functional and ready for use]She's all set to blast him, all set to wipe that anxious smile off his face, to tell him some hard home truths. And then she stops. She can't do it.— Norma Fox Mazer
b
: needing or wanting nothing further
"Would you like more coffee?" "No thanks, I'm set." The leak is fixed, so you should be set now. After winning the lottery, they were set for life
—often used in the phrase all set "Would you like more coffee?" "No thanks, I'm all set."Can I help you find something, or are you all set?Is the bill all set, or do you need some change?
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Time Traveler for set
The first known use of set was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century