set; setting; sets
1
: to cause to sit : place in or on a seat
2
a
: 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
4
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 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
6
a
: to cause to assume a specified condition, relation, or occupation
The bird was treated and then set free.
They accidentally 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
9
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 (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
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 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
17
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
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
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
23
a
: 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
1
chiefly dialectal
: sit
2
: to be becoming : be suitable : fit
the coat sets well
3
: to cover and warm eggs to hatch them
4
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 (such as running)
5
of a plant part
: to undergo development usually as a result of pollination
6
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
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
11
a
: 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
1
a
: 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
3
a
: 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
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
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
7
a
: 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 setAre 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?
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share