First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1set
verb \ˈset\
setset·ting
Definition of SET
transitive verb
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 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 fermenting
5
: 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>
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 (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 (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> 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> 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 (as fruit or seed) to develop
intransitive verb
1
chiefly dialect : 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 (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
— set about
: to begin to do
— set apart
1
: to reserve to a particular use
2
: 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 of
2
: to start out on a journey
— set forward
1
: further
2
: to start out on a journey
— 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 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>
See set defined for English-language learners
See set defined for kids
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Origin of SET
Middle English setten, from Old English settan; akin to Old High German sezzen to set, Old English sittan to sit
2set
noun
Definition of SET
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
also 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
also 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 (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 (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
See set defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SET
14th century
3set
adjective
Definition of SET
1
: intent, determined <set upon going>
2
: intentional, premeditated <did it of set purpose>
3
: fixed by authority or appointment : prescribed, specified <set hours of study>
4
: reluctant to change <set in their ways>
6
: settled, persistent <set defiance>
7
: being in readiness : prepared <set for an early morning start>
See set defined for English-language learners
Origin of SET
Middle English sett, from Old English gesett, past participle of settan
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to SET
- Antonyms
- flat-footed, half-baked, half-cocked, underprepared, unprepared, unready
SET Defined for Kids
1set
verb \ˈset\
setset·ting
Definition of SET for Kids
1
: to put or fix in a place or condition <I set the box on a table.>
2
: to cause to be, become, or do <Police set the prisoner free.>
3
: 1start 4 <He set a fire.>
4
: to fix or decide on <They set the wedding date.> <Have you set a price?>
5
: to furnish as a model <You should set an example for the others.> <She ran to the front and set the pace.>
6
: to adjust or put in order for use <Please set the table.> <Did you set the alarm?>
7
: to fix firmly <He sets his feet and takes aim.>
8
: to pass below the horizon : go down <The sun is setting.>
9
: to begin some activity <They set to work on the cleaning project.>
10
: to cause to sit <I set the baby in her chair.>
11
: to arrange in a desired and especially a normal position <Doctors set the broken bone.>
12
: to become or cause to become firm or solid <Wait for the cement to set.>
13
: to cover and warm eggs to hatch them <The hen set for days.>
14
: to locate the plot of (a story)
15
: to provide (as words or verses) with music
— set aside
: to reserve for some purpose
— set eyes on
: to catch sight of : see <Though he lived nearby, I had never set eyes on him.>
— set in
: to make its appearance : begin <They needed to leave arctic waters before winter set in.>
— set off
1
: to start a journey <We set off for home.>
2
: explode 1 <We set off fireworks.>
3
: to make noticeable <The phrase is set off by commas.>
4
: to cause to start <The story set them off laughing.>
— set out
1
: to begin on a course or journey <We arrived a month after we set out.>
2
: to begin with a purpose <He set out to win.>
— set up
1
: to place or secure in position <Help me set up the tables.>
2
: to put in operation <The community set up an animal shelter.>
2set
noun
Definition of SET for Kids
2
: the act or action of going below the horizon <the set of the sun>
3
: an electronic apparatus <a television set>
4
: a collection of mathematical elements
5
: a group of tennis games that make up a match
6
: the form or movement of the body or of its parts <the set of the shoulders>
7
: an artificial setting for a scene of a play or motion picture
3set
adjective
Definition of SET for Kids
1
: fixed by authority <a set rule>
2
: not very willing to change <The people he works with are set in their ways.>
3
: 1ready 1 <Are you all set?>
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