- to put (something or someone) in a particular place: to set a vase on a table.
- to place in a particular position or posture: Set the baby on his feet.
- to place in some relation to something or someone: We set a supervisor over the new workers.
- to put into some condition: to set a house on fire.
- to put or apply: to set fire to a house.
- to put in the proper position: to set a chair back on its feet.
- to put in the proper or desired order or condition for use: to set a trap.
- to distribute or arrange china, silver, etc., for use on (a table): to set the table for dinner.
- to place (the hair, especially when wet) on rollers, in clips, or the like, so that the hair will assume a particular style.
- to put (a price or value) upon something: He set $7500 as the right amount for the car.The teacher sets a high value on neatness.
- to fix the value of at a certain amount or rate; value: He set the car at $500.She sets neatness at a high value.
- to post, station, or appoint for the purpose of performing some duty: to set spies on a person.
- to determine or fix definitely: to set a time limit.
- to resolve or decide upon: to set a wedding date.
- to cause to pass into a given state or condition: to set one's mind at rest;to set a prisoner free.
- to direct or settle resolutely or wishfully: to set one's mind to a task.
- to present as a model; place before others as a standard: to set a good example.
- to establish for others to follow: to set a fast pace.
- to prescribe or assign, as a task.
- to adjust (a mechanism) so as to control its performance.
- to adjust the hands of (a clock or watch) according to a certain standard: I always set my watch by the clock in the library.
- to adjust (a timer, alarm of a clock, etc.) so as to sound when desired: He set the alarm for seven o'clock.
- to fix or mount (a gem or the like) in a frame or setting.
- to ornament or stud with gems or the like: a bracelet set with pearls.
- to cause to sit; seat: to set a child in a high chair.
- to put (a hen) on eggs to hatch them.
- to place (eggs) under a hen or in an incubator for hatching.
- to place or plant firmly: to set a flagpole in concrete.
- to put into a fixed, rigid, or settled state, as the face, muscles, etc.
- to fix at a given point or calibration: to set the dial on an oven;to set a micrometer.
- to tighten (often followed by up): to set nuts well up.
- to cause to take a particular direction: to set one's course to the south.
- to put (a broken or dislocated bone) back in position.
- (of a hunting dog) to indicate the position of (game) by standing stiffly and pointing with the muzzle.
- Music.
- to fit, as words to music.
- to arrange for musical performance.
- to arrange (music) for certain voices or instruments.
- Theater.
- to arrange the scenery, properties, lights, etc., on (a stage) for an act or scene.
- to prepare (a scene) for dramatic performance.
- to spread and secure (a sail) so as to catch the wind.
- Printing.
- to arrange (type) in the order required for printing.
- to put together types corresponding to (copy); compose in type: to set an article.
- to put aside (a substance to which yeast has been added) in order that it may rise.
- to change into curd: to set milk with rennet.
- to cause (glue, mortar, or the like) to become fixed or hard.
- to urge, goad, or encourage to attack: to set the hounds on a trespasser.
- to cause (the opposing partnership or their contract) to fall short: We set them two tricks at four spades.Only perfect defense could set four spades.
- to affix or apply, as by stamping: The king set his seal to the decree.
- to fix or engage (a fishhook) firmly into the jaws of a fish by pulling hard on the line once the fish has taken the bait.
- to sharpen or put a keen edge on (a blade, knife, razor, etc.) by honing or grinding.
- to fix the length, width, and shape of (yarn, fabric, etc.).
- to sink (a nail head) with a nail set.
- to bend or form to the proper shape, as a saw tooth or a spring.
- to bend the teeth of (a saw) outward from the blade alternately on both sides in order to make a cut wider than the blade itself.
- to pass below the horizon; sink: The sun sets early in winter.
- to decline; wane.
- to assume a fixed or rigid state, as the countenance or the muscles.
- (of the hair) to be placed temporarily on rollers, in clips, or the like, in order to assume a particular style: Long hair sets more easily than short hair.
- to become firm, solid, or permanent, as mortar, glue, cement, or a dye, due to drying or physical or chemical change.
- to sit on eggs to hatch them, as a hen.
- to hang or fit, as clothes.
- to begin to move; start (usually followed by forth, out, off, etc.).
- (of a flower's ovary) to develop into a fruit.
- (of a hunting dog) to indicate the position of game.
- to have a certain direction or course, as a wind, current, or the like.
- (of a sail) to be spread so as to catch the wind.
- (of type) to occupy a certain width: This copy sets to forty picas.
- sit: Come in and set a spell.
- the act or state of setting or the state of being set.
- a collection of articles designed for use together: a set of china;a chess set.
- a collection, each member of which is adapted for a special use in a particular operation: a set of golf clubs;a set of carving knives.
- a number, group, or combination of things of similar nature, design, or function: a set of ideas.
- a series of volumes by one author, about one subject, etc.
- a number, company, or group of persons associated by common interests, occupations, conventions, or status: a set of murderous thieves;the smart set.
- the fit, as of an article of clothing: the set of his coat.
- fixed direction, bent, or inclination: The set of his mind was obvious.
- bearing or carriage: the set of one's shoulders.
- the assumption of a fixed, rigid, or hard state, as by mortar or glue.
- the arrangement of the hair in a particular style: How much does the beauty salon charge for a shampoo and set?
- a plate for holding a tool or die.
- an apparatus for receiving radio or television programs; receiver.
- a group of stamps that form a complete series.
- a unit of a match, consisting of a group of not fewer than six games with a margin of at least two games between the winner and loser: He won the match in straight sets of 6–3, 6–4, 6–4.
- a construction representing a place or scene in which the action takes place in a stage, motion-picture, or television production.
- Machinery.
- the bending out of the points of alternate teeth of a saw in opposite directions.
- a permanent deformation or displacement of an object or part.
- a tool for giving a certain form to something, as a saw tooth.
- a chisel having a wide blade for dividing bricks.
- a young plant, or a slip, tuber, or the like, suitable for planting.
- Dance.
- the number of couples required to execute a quadrille or the like.
- a series of movements or figures that make up a quadrille or the like.
- Music.
- a group of pieces played by a band, as in a night club, and followed by an intermission.
- the period during which these pieces are played.
- a failure to take the number of tricks specified by one's contract: Our being vulnerable made the set even more costly.
- Nautical.
- the direction of a wind, current, etc.
- the form or arrangement of the sails, spars, etc., of a vessel.
- suit (def. 12).
- a temporary state of an organism characterized by a readiness to respond to certain stimuli in a specific way.
- a timber frame bracing or supporting the walls or roof of a shaft or stope.
- nail set.
- a collection of objects or elements classed together.
- the width of a body of type.
- sett (def. 3).
- fixed or prescribed beforehand: a set time;set rules.
- specified; fixed: The hall holds a set number of people.
- deliberately composed; customary: set phrases.
- fixed; rigid: a set smile.
- resolved or determined; habitually or stubbornly fixed: to be set in one's opinions.
- completely prepared; ready: Is everyone set?
- (in calling the start of a race): Ready! Set! Go!
- set about,
- to begin on; start.
- to undertake; attempt.
- to assault; attack.
- set against,
- to cause to be hostile or antagonistic.
- to compare or contrast: The advantages must be set against the disadvantages.
- to set to a later setting or time: Set your clocks ahead one hour.
- set apart,
- to reserve for a particular purpose.
- to cause to be noticed; distinguish: Her bright red hair sets her apart from her sisters.
- set aside,
- to put to one side; reserve: The clerk set aside the silver brooch for me.
- to dismiss from the mind; reject.
- to prevail over; discard; annul: to set aside a verdict.
- set back,
- to hinder; impede.
- to turn the hands of (a watch or clock) to show an earlier time: When your plane gets to California, set your watch back two hours.
- to reduce to a lower setting: Set back the thermostat before you go to bed.
- to save or keep for future use.
- set down,
- to write or to copy or record in writing or printing.
- to consider; estimate: to set someone down as a fool.
- to attribute; ascribe: to set a failure down to bad planning.
- to put in a position of rest on a level surface.
- to humble or humiliate.
- to land an airplane: We set down in a heavy fog.
- (in horse racing) to suspend (a jockey) from competition because of some offense or infraction of the rules.
- set forth,
- to give an account of; state; describe: He set forth his theory in a scholarly report.
- to begin a journey; start: Columbus set forth with three small ships.
- set in,
- to begin to prevail; arrive: Darkness set in.
- (of winds or currents) to blow or flow toward the shore.
- set off,
- to cause to become ignited or to explode.
- to begin; start.
- to intensify or improve by contrast.
- to begin a journey or trip; depart.
- set on,
- to attack or cause to attack: to set one's dog on a stranger.
- to instigate; incite: to set a crew to mutiny.
- set out,
- to begin a journey or course: to set out for home.
- to undertake; attempt: He set out to prove his point.
- to design; plan: to set out a pattern.
- to define; describe: to set out one's arguments.
- to plant: to set out petunias and pansies.
- to lay out (the plan of a building) in actual size at the site.
- to lay out (a building member or the like) in actual size.
- set to,
- to make a vigorous effort; apply oneself to work; begin.
- to begin to fight; contend.
- set up,
- to put upright; raise.
- to put into a high or powerful position.
- to construct; assemble; erect.
- to be assembled or made ready for use: exercise equipment that sets up in a jiffy.
- to inaugurate; establish.
- to enable to begin in business; provide with means.
- to make a gift of; treat, as to drinks.
- to stimulate; elate.
- to propound; plan; advance.
- to bring about; cause.
- to become firm or hard, as a glue or cement: a paint that sets up within five minutes.
- to lead or lure into a dangerous, detrimental, or embarrassing situation, as by deceitful prearrangement or connivance.
- to entrap or frame, as an innocent person in a crime or a criminal suspect in a culpable circumstance in order to achieve an arrest.
- to arrange the murder or execution of: His partner set him up with the mob.
- to establish (a suit): to set up spades.
- in readiness; prepared: They were at the starting line and all set to begin.
- to turn the hands of (a watch or clock) to show a later time: When your plane lands in New York, set your watch forward two hours.
- face (def. 58).
- store (def. 16).
- the brother and murderer of Osiris, represented as having the form of a donkey or other mammal and regarded as personifying the desert.
- to put or place in position or into a specified state or condition
- to put or be put (to); apply or be applied
- to put into order or readiness for use; prepare
- to put, form, or be formed into a jelled, firm, fixed, or rigid state
- to put or be put into a position that will restore a normal state
- to adjust (a clock or other instrument) to a position
- to determine or establish
- to prescribe or allot (an undertaking, course of study, etc)
- to arrange in a particular fashion, esp an attractive one
- (of clothes) to hang or fit (well or badly) when worn
- to provide music for (a poem or other text to be sung)
- to arrange or produce (type, film, etc) from (text or copy); compose
- to arrange (a stage, television studio, etc) with scenery and props
- to describe or present (a scene or the background to a literary work, story, etc) in words
- to present as a model of good or bad behaviour (esp in the phrases set an example, set a good example, set a bad example)
- to value (something) at a specified price or estimation of worth
- to price (the value of something) at a specified sum
- to give or be given a particular direction
- to rig (a sail) or (of a sail) to be rigged so as to catch the wind
- (of the sun, moon, etc) to disappear beneath the horizon
- to leave (dough, etc) in one place so that it may prove
- to sharpen (a cutting blade) by grinding or honing the angle adjacent to the cutting edge
- to displace alternate teeth of (a saw) to opposite sides of the blade in order to increase the cutting efficiency
- to sink (the head of a nail) below the surface surrounding it by using a nail set
- to give (a binary circuit) the value 1
- (of plants) to produce (fruits, seeds, etc) after pollination or (of fruits or seeds) to develop after pollination
- to plant (seeds, seedlings, etc)
- to place (a hen) on (eggs) for the purpose of incubation
- (of a gun dog) to turn in the direction of game, indicating its presence
- to let or lease
- to defeat (one's opponents) in their attempt to make a contract
- a dialect word for sit
- to see
- the act of setting or the state of being set
- a condition of firmness or hardness
- bearing, carriage, or posture
- the fit or hang of a garment, esp when worn
- the scenery and other props used in and identifying the location of a stage or television production, film, etc
- Also called: set width printing
- the width of the body of a piece of type
- the width of the lines of type in a page or column
- nautical
- the cut of the sails or the arrangement of the sails, spars, rigging, etc, of a vessel
- the direction from which a wind is blowing or towards which a tide or current is moving
- a temporary bias disposing an organism to react to a stimulus in one way rather than in others
- a seedling, cutting, or similar part that is ready for planting
- a blacksmith's tool with a short head similar to a cold chisel set transversely onto a handle and used, when struck with a hammer, for cutting off lengths of iron bars
- See nail set
- the direction of flow of water
- a mechanical distortion of shape or alignment, such as a bend in a piece of metal
- the penetration of a driven pile for each blow of the drop hammer
- a variant spelling of sett
- fixed or established by authority or agreement
- rigid or inflexible
- unmoving; fixed
- conventional, artificial, or stereotyped, rather than spontaneous
- resolute in intention
- (of a book, etc) prescribed for students' preparation for an examination
- a number of objects or people grouped or belonging together, often forming a unit or having certain features or characteristics in common
- a group of people who associate together, esp a clique
- maths logic
- a collection of numbers, objects, etc, that is treated as an entity: 3, the moon is the set the two members of which are the number 3 and the moon
- (in some formulations) a class that can itself be a member of other classes
- any apparatus that receives or transmits television or radio signals
- one of the units of a match, in tennis one in which one player or pair of players must win at least six games
- the number of couples required for a formation dance
- a series of figures that make up a formation dance
- a band's or performer's concert repertoire on a given occasion
- a continuous performance
- (in square dancing and country dancing) to perform a sequence of steps while facing towards another dancer
- to divide into sets