set

set, set·ting.

• : to put 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: to set the table for dinner.
• : to place on rollers, in clips, or the like, so that the hair will assume a particular style.
• : to put 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 so as to control its performance.
• : to adjust the hands of according to a certain standard: I always set my watch by the clock in the library.
• : to adjust so as to sound when desired: He set the alarm for seven o'clock.
• : to fix or mount 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 highchair.
• : to put on eggs to hatch them.
• : to place 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: to set nuts well up.
• : to cause to take a particular direction: to set one's course to the south.
• : Surgery. to put back in position.
• : to indicate the position of by standing stiffly and pointing with the muzzle.
• : Music. to fit, as words to music.to arrange for musical performance.to arrange for certain voices or instruments.
• : Theater. to arrange the scenery, properties, lights, etc., on for an act or scene.to prepare for dramatic performance.
• : Nautical. to spread and secure so as to catch the wind.
• : Printing. to arrange in the order required for printing.to put together types corresponding to; compose in type: to set an article.
• : Baking. to put aside in order that it may rise.
• : to change into curd: to set milk with rennet.
• : to cause to become fixed or hard.
• : to urge, goad, or encourage to attack: to set the hounds on a trespasser.
• : Bridge. to cause 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 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 by honing or grinding.
• : to fix the length, width, and shape of.
• : Carpentry. to sink with a nail set.
• : to bend or form to the proper shape, as a saw tooth or a spring.
• : to bend the teeth of outward from the blade alternately on both sides in order to make a cut wider than the blade itself.

set, set·ting.

• : 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.
• : 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.
• : to develop into a fruit.
• : to indicate the position of game.
• : to have a certain direction or course, as a wind, current, or the like.
• : Nautical. to be spread so as to catch the wind.
• : Printing. to occupy a certain width: This copy sets to forty picas.
• : Nonstandard. 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.
• : Philately. a group of stamps that form a complete series.
• : Tennis. 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.
• : Horticulture. 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.
• : Bridge. 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.
• : Psychology. a temporary state of an organism characterized by a readiness to respond to certain stimuli in a specific way.
• : Mining. a timber frame bracing or supporting the walls or roof of a shaft or stope.
• : Carpentry. nail set.
• : Mathematics. a collection of objects or elements classed together.
• : Printing. the width of a body of type.
• : sett.

• : 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?

• : Also get set!: 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.
• : set ahead, 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 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.
• : set by, 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. to suspend 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. 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, Also set upon. 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 in actual size at the site.to lay out 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.Informal.to make a gift of; treat, as to drinks.Informal.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.Bridge.to establish: to set up spades.