set
Listen:For the verb: "to set"
| Simple Past: | set |
| Past Participle: | set |
set sett
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
set1
- 1 put, lay, or stand (something) in a specified place or position.
■ (be set) be situated in a specified place or position.
■ represent (a story) as happening at a specified time or in a specified place.
■ mount a precious stone in (a piece of jewellery).
■ Printing arrange (type or text) as required.
■ prepare (a table) for a meal by placing cutlery, crockery, etc., on it.
■ (set something to) add (music) to a written work.
■ Sailing put (a sail) up in position to catch the wind.
- 2 put, bring, or place into a specified state: the hostages were set free.
■ instruct (someone) to do something.
■ give someone (a task): the problem we have been set.
■ establish as (an example or record).
■ decide on or fix (a time, value, or limit).
- 3 adjust (a device) as required.
- 4 harden into a solid, semi-solid, or fixed state.
■ arrange (damp hair) into the required style.
■ put (a broken or dislocated bone or limb) into the correct position for healing.
■ (of a hunting dog) adopt a rigid attitude indicating the presence of game.
- 5 (of the sun, moon, etc.) appear to move towards and below the earth's horizon as the earth rotates.
- 6 (of a tide or current) take or have a specified direction or course.
- 7 chiefly N. Amer. start (a fire).
- 8 (of blossom or a tree) form into or produce (fruit).
- 9 informal or dialect sit.
- 10 (of a dancer) acknowledge one's partner using the steps prescribed.
set one's heart (or hopes) on have a strong desire for or to do.
set out one's stall display or show off one's abilities or attributes.
set sail hoist the sails of a boat.
■ begin a voyage.
set one's teeth clench one's teeth together.■ become resolute.
set the wheels in motion begin a process or put a plan into action.set about
- 1 start doing something with vigour or determination.
- 2 Brit. informal attack (someone).
set something (off) against offset something against.
set someone apart give someone an air of unusual superiority.
set something apart separate something and keep it for a special purpose.
set something aside
- 1 save or keep something for a particular purpose.
■ remove land from agricultural production.
- 2 annul a legal decision or order.
- 1 delay or impede the progress of someone or something.
- 2 informal cost someone a particular amount of money.
set someone down Brit. stop and allow someone to alight from a vehicle.
set something down record something in writing or as an authoritative rule or principle.
set forth begin a journey or trip.
set something forth state or describe something in writing or speech.
set forward archaic start on a journey.
set in (of something unwelcome) begin and seem likely to continue.
set something in insert something, especially a sleeve, into a garment.
set off begin a journey.
set something off
- 1 cause a bomb or alarm to go off.
- 2 serve as decorative embellishment to.
set someone/thing on (or upon) cause or urge a person or animal to attack.
set out
- 1 begin a journey.
- 2 aim or intend to do something.
set to begin doing something vigorously.
set someone up
- 1 establish someone in a particular capacity or role.
- 2 informal restore or enhance the health of someone.
- 3 informal make an innocent person appear guilty of something.
- 1 place or erect something in position.
- 2 establish a business, institution, etc.
- 3 begin making a loud sound.
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
set2
- 1 a group or collection of things belonging or used together or resembling one another.
■ a group of people with common interests or occupations: the literary set.
■ Brit. a group of pupils or students of the same average ability in a subject who are taught together.
■ (in tennis, darts, and other games) a group of games counting as a unit towards a match.
■ (in jazz or popular music) a sequence of songs or pieces constituting or forming part of a live show or recording.
■ a group of people making up the required number for a country dance.
■ Mathematics & Logic a collection of distinct entities regarded as a unit, being either individually specified or (more usually) satisfying specified conditions.
- 2 the way in which something is set, disposed, or positioned.
■ (also dead set) a hunting dog's act of indicating the presence of game.
■ a warp or bend in wood, metal, etc., caused by continued strain or pressure.
- 3 a radio or television receiver.
- 4 a collection of scenery, stage furniture, etc., used for a scene in a play or film.
- 5 a cutting, young plant, or bulb used in the propagation of new plants.
■ a young fruit that has just formed.
- 6 the last coat of plaster on a wall.
- 7 Printing the width of letters in a particular typeface.
■ the width of a piece of type.
- 8 variant spelling of sett.
- 9 Snooker another term for plant (sense 4 of the noun).
- 10 Austral./NZ informal a grudge.
make a dead set at Brit. make a determined attempt to win the affections of. [by assoc. with hunting (see dead set2 above).]
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
set3
- 1 fixed or arranged in advance.
■ (of a restaurant menu) offered at a fixed price with a limited choice of dishes.
■ (of a book) prescribed for study.
■ having a conventional or predetermined wording; formulaic.
- 2 firmly fixed and unchanging.
- 3 ready, prepared, or likely to do something: we're all set for tonight!
■ (set against) firmly opposed to.
■ (set on) determined to do.
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
sett /set/ (also set)
- 1 the earth or burrow of a badger.
- 2 a granite paving block.
- 3 the particular pattern of stripes in a tartan.
