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set1

Syllabification: (set)
Pronunciation: /set/
Translate set | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of set

verb (sets, setting; past and past participle set)

  • 1 [with object] put, lay, or stand (something) in a specified place or position:Dana set the mug of tea down Catherine set a chair by the bed
  • (be set) be situated or fixed in a specified place or position:the village was set among olive groves on a hill
  • represent (a story, play, movie, or scene) as happening at a specified time or in a specified place:a spy novel set in Berlin
  • mount a precious stone in (something, typically a piece of jewelry):a bracelet set with emeralds
  • mount (a precious stone) in something.
  • Printing arrange (type) as required.
  • Printing arrange the type for (a piece of text):article headings will be set in Times fourteen point
  • prepare (a table) for a meal by placing cutlery, dishes, etc., on it in their proper places.
  • (set something to) provide (music) so that a written work can be produced in a musical form:she set his poem to music
  • [no object] (of a dancer) acknowledge another dancer, typically one’s partner, using the steps prescribed:the gentleman sets to and turns with the lady on his left hand
  • cause (a hen) to sit on eggs.
  • place (eggs) for a hen to sit on.
  • put (a seed or plant) in the ground to grow.
  • give the teeth of (a saw) alternating outward inclinations.
  • Sailing put (a sail) up in position to catch the wind:a safe distance from shore all sails were setSee also set sail below.
  • 2 [with object] put or bring into a specified state:plunging oil prices set in motion an economic collapse in Houston [with object and complement]:the hostages were set free
  • cause (someone or something) to start doing something:the incident set me thinking
  • [with object and infinitive] instruct (someone) to do something:he’ll set a man to watch you
  • give someone (a task): [with two objects]:the problem we have been set
  • devise (a test) and give it to someone to do.
  • establish as (an example) for others to follow, copy, or try to achieve:the scheme sets a precedent for other companies
  • establish (a record):his time in the 25-meter freestyle set a national record
  • decide on:they set a date for a full hearing at the end of February
  • fix (a price, value, or limit) on something:the unions had set a limit on the size of the temporary workforce
  • 3 [with object] adjust (a clock or watch), typically to show the right time.
  • adjust (an alarm clock) to sound at the required time.
  • adjust (a device or its controls) so that it performs a particular operation:you have to be careful not to set the volume too high
  • Electronics cause (a binary device) to enter the state representing the numeral 1.
  • 4 [no object] harden into a solid or semisolid state:cook for a further thirty-five minutes until the filling has set
  • [with object] arrange (the hair) while damp so that it dries in the required style:she had set her hair on small rollers
  • [with object] put parts of (a broken or dislocated bone or limb) into the correct position for healing.
  • [with object] deal with (a fracture or dislocation) by putting the parts into correct position for healing.
  • (of a bone) be restored to its normal condition by knitting together again after being broken:dogs' bones soon set
  • (with reference to a person’s face) assume or cause to assume a fixed or rigid expression:her features never set into a civil parade of attention [with object]:Travis’s face was set as he looked up
  • (of the eyes) become fixed in position or in the feeling they are expressing:his bright eyes set in an expression of mocking amusement
  • (of a hunting dog) adopt a rigid attitude indicating the presence of game.
  • 5 [no object] (of the sun, moon, or another celestial body) appear to move toward and below the earth’s horizon as the earth rotates:the sun was setting and a warm, red glow filled the sky
  • 6 [no object] (of a tide or current) take or have a specified direction or course:a fair tide can be carried well past Lands End before the stream sets to the north
  • 7 [with object] chiefly North American start (a fire).
  • 8 [with object] (of blossom or a tree) develop into or produce (fruit).
  • [no object] (of fruit) develop from blossom.
  • (of a plant) produce (seed):the herb has flowered and started to set seed
  • 9 informal dialect sit:a perfect lady—just set in her seat and stared

Phrases

set one's heart (or hopes) on

have a strong desire for or to do:she had her heart set on going to college

set sail

hoist the sails of a vessel.
begin a voyage:tomorrow we set sail for France

set one's teeth

clench one’s teeth together.
become resolute:they have set their teeth against a change which would undermine their prospects of forming a government

set up shop

see shop.

set someone straight

inform someone of the truth of a situation.

set the wheels in motion

do something to begin a process or put a plan into action.

Phrasal Verbs

set about

  • 1start doing something with vigor or determination:it would be far better to admit the problem openly and set about tackling it
  • 2British informal attack (someone).

set someone against

cause someone to be in opposition or conflict with:he hadn’t meant any harm, but his few words had set her against him

set something against

offset something against:wives' allowances can henceforth be set against investment income

set someone apart

give someone an air of unusual superiority:his blunt views set him apart

set something apart

separate something and keep it for a special purpose:there were books and rooms set apart as libraries

set something aside

  • 1save or keep something, typically money or time, for a particular purpose:the bank expected to set aside about $700 million for restructuring
  • remove land from agricultural production:with 15% of land set aside, cereal production will fall [as adjective]:using his set-aside acreage to work clover into his rotation
  • 2annul a legal decision or process.

set someone/something back

  • 1delay or impede the progress of someone or something:this incident undoubtedly set back research
  • 2 informal (of a purchase) cost someone a particular amount of money:that must have set you back a bit

set something by

archaic or US dated save something for future use.

set someone down

stop and allow someone to alight from a vehicle.

set something down

record something in writing.
establish something authoritatively as a rule or principle to be followed:the Association set down codes of practice for all members to comply with

set forth

begin a journey or trip.

set something forth

state or describe something in writing or speech:the principles and aims set forth in the Charter

set forward

archaic start on a journey.

set in

(of something unpleasant or unwelcome) begin and seem likely to continue:less hardy plants should be brought inside before cold weather sets in

set something in

insert something, especially a sleeve, into a garment.

set off

begin a journey.

set someone off

cause someone to start doing something, especially laughing or talking:anything will set him off laughing

set something off

  • 1detonate a bomb.
  • cause an alarm to go off.
  • cause a series of things to occur:the fear is that this could set off a chain reaction in other financial markets
  • 2serve as decorative embellishment to:a pink carnation set off nicely by a red bow tie and cream shirt

set something off against

another way of saying set something against above.

set on (or upon)

attack (someone) violently.

set someone/something on (or upon)

cause or urge a person or animal to attack:I was asked to leave and threatened with having dogs set upon me

set out

begin a journey.
aim or intend to do something:she drew up a plan of what her organization should set out to achieve

set something out

arrange or display something in a particular order or position.
present information or ideas in a well-ordered way in writing or speech:this chapter sets out the debate surrounding pluralism

set to

begin doing something vigorously:she set to with bleach and scouring pads to render the vases spotless

set someone up

  • 1establish someone in a particular capacity or role:his father set him up in business
  • informal arrange a meeting between one person and another, with the aim of encouraging a romantic relationship between them:Todd tried to set her up with one of his friends
  • 2restore or enhance the health of someone:after my operation, the doctor recommended a cruise to set me up again
  • 3 informal make an innocent person appear guilty of something:suppose Zielinski had set him up for Ingram’s murder?

set something up

  • 1place or erect something in position:police set up a roadblock on Tenth Street
  • 2establish a business, institution, or other organization.
  • make the arrangements necessary for something:he asked if I would like him to set up a meeting with the president
  • 3begin making a loud sound.

set oneself up as

establish oneself in (a particular occupation):he set himself up as an attorney in St. Louis
claim to be or act like a specified kind of person (used to indicate skepticism as to someone’s right or ability to do so):he set himself up as a crusader for higher press and broadcasting standards

Origin:

Old English settan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zetten, German setzen, also to sit

Set, meaning ‘place or put,’ is mainly a transitive verb and takes a direct object: set the flowers on top of the piano. Sit, meaning ‘be seated,’ is mainly intransitive and does not take a direct object: sit in this chair while I check the light meter.

set in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of set in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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