set{1} v. set, set-ting, sets.-tr. 1. To put in a specified position; place: set a book on a table. 2. To put into a specified state: set him at liberty. 3. To put into a stable position; fix. 4. To restore to a proper and normal state when dislocated or broken: set a broken arm. 5. a. To adjust for proper functioning. b. To adjust (a saw) by deflecting the teeth. c. To spread open to the wind: set the sails. 6. To adjust according to a standard. 7. To adjust (an instrument) to a specific point or calibration: set an alarm clock. 8. To arrange properly for use: set a place for a dinner guest; set a table. 9. To apply equipment, as curlers and clips, to (hair) in order to style. 10. Printing. a. To arrange (type) into words and sentences preparatory to printing; compose. b. To transpose into type. 11. a. To compose (music) to fit a given text. b. To write (words) to fit a given melodic line. 12. To arrange scenery on (a theater stage). 13. To prescribe or establish: set a precedent. 14. To prescribe the unfolding of (a scene) in a specific place: a play set in Venice. 15. To prescribe as a time for: set June 6 as the day of the invasion. 16. To detail or assign (someone) to a particular duty, service, or station: set the boy to cleaning closets; set guards around the perimeter. 17. To incite to hostile action: a war that set families against one another. 18. a. To establish as the highest level of performance: set a world aviation record. b. To establish as a model: set a good example for the children. 19. a. To put in a mounting; mount: set an emerald in a pendant. b. To apply jewels to; stud: a tiara set with diamonds. 20 To cause to sit. 21. a. To put (a hen) on eggs for the purpose of hatching them. b. To put (eggs) beneath a hen or in an incubator. 22. To position (oneself) to start an action, as running a race. 23. a. To value or regard something at the rate of: sets a great deal by good nutrition. b. To fix at a given amount: set bail for the criminal at$ 50,000. c. To make as an estimate of worth: We set a high value on human life. 24. To point to the location of (game) by holding a fixed attitude. Used of a hunting dog. 25. To produce, as after pollination: set seed. 26. a. To prepare (a trap) for catching prey. b. To fix (a hook) firmly into a fish's jaw.-intr. 1. To disappear below the horizon:The sun set at seven that evening. 2. To diminish or decline; wane. 3. To sit on eggs. Used of fowl. 4. To become fixed; harden. 5. To become whole; knit. Used of a broken bone. 6. To mature or develop, as after pollination. 7. Regional. To sit. 8. To position oneself preparatory to an action, as running a race.-phrasal verbs. set about. To begin or start: set about solving the problem. set apart. 1. To reserve for a specific use. 2. To make noticeable. set aside. 1. To separate and reserve for a special purpose. 2. To discard or reject. 3. To declare invalid; annul or overrule. set at. To attack or assail. set back. 1. To slow down the progress of; hinder. 2. Informal. To cost: That coat set me back$ 1,000. set down. 1. Informal. To cause to sit; seat: Set the baby down here. 2. To put in writing; record: He set down the facts. 3. a. To regard; consider: Just set him down as a sneak. b. To assign to a cause; attribute: Let's set the error down to inexperience. 4. To land (an aircraft). set forth. 1. To present for consideration; propose. 2. To express in words: set forth her ideas. set in. 1. To insert: set in the sleeve of a gown. 2. To begin to happen or be apparent: Infection set in. 3. To move toward the shore. Used of wind or water. set off. 1. a. To give rise to; cause to occur: set off a chemical reaction. b. To cause to explode. 2. To indicate as being different; distinguish: features setting him off from the crowd. 3. To direct attention to by contrast; accentuate: set off a passage with italics. 4. To start on a journey: set off for Europe. set out. 1. To begin an earnest attempt; undertake: set out to understand why the plan had failed. 2. To lay out systematically and graphically: set out a terrace. 3. To display for exhibition or sale. 4. To plant: set out seedlings. 5. To start a journey: set out at dawn for town. set to. 1. To begin working energetically; start in. 2. To begin fighting. set up. 1. To place in an upright position. 2. a. To elevate; raise. b. To raise in authority or power; invest with power: set the general up as a dictator. c. To put (oneself) forward as; claim to be: set himself up as an authority on language. 3. To assemble and erect: set up a new machine. 4. To establish; found: set up a charity. 5. To cause; create: set up howls of protest. 6. To establish in business by providing capital, equipment, or other backing. 7. Informal. a. To treat (someone) to drinks. b. To pay for (drinks). 8. Informal. To stimulate or exhilarate: a victory that really set the team up. 9. To lay plans for: set up a kidnapping.-adj. 1. Fixed or established by agreement: a set time for the launching. 2. Established by convention: followed set procedures for filing a grievance. 3. Established deliberately; intentional. 4. Fixed and rigid: a set, grim face. 5. Not willing to change: was set in his ways. 6 Ready: We're set to go.-n. 1. a. The act or process of setting. b. The condition resulting from setting. 2. A permanent firming or hardening of a substance, as by cooling. 3. The deflection of the teeth of a saw. 4. The manner in which something is positioned: the set of her cap. 5. The carriage or bearing of a part of the body. 6. A descent below the horizon. 7. The direction or course of wind or water. 8. A seedling, slip, or cutting that is ready for planting. 9. The act of arranging hair by waving and curling it.-idioms. set eyes on. To catch sight of; see. set foot in. To enter. set foot on. To step on.set in motion. To give impetus to: The indictment set the judicial process in motion. set (one's) heart on. To be determined to do something. set ( or put) (one's) house in order. To arrange one's affairs in an orderly manner. set (one's) sights on. To have as a goal: She set her sights on medical school. set (someone) straight. To inform fully. set store by. To regard as valuable or worthwhile.[ME setten <OE settan]

Usage: Originally set meant ``to cause (something) to sit,'' so that it is now in most cases a transitive verb: She sets the book on the table. He sets the table. Sit is generally an intransitive verb: He sits at the table. There are some exceptions: The sun sets (not sits ). A hen sets (or sits ) on her eggs.

set{2} n. 1. A group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used: a chess set. 2. A group of persons sharing a common interest: the high-school set. 3. A group of books or periodicals published as a unit. 4. a. A number of couples required for participation in a square dance. b. The movements constituting a square dance. 5. a. The scenery constructed for a theatrical performance. b. The entire enclosure in which a motion picture is filmed; sound stage. 6. The collective receiving apparatus assembled to operate a radio or television. 7. Math. A collection of distinct elements: a set of positive integers. 8. A group of tennis games constituting one division or unit of a match.[ME sette <OFr. <Lat. secta, faction < sequi, to follow]