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| set [ set ] |
verb (past and past participle set, present participle set·ting, 3rd person present singular sets) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb place something: to put somebody or something somewhere
  Set the books on the table.
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2. transitive verb cause somebody to be something: to put somebody or something into a particular condition
finally set the hostages free
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3. transitive verb initiate action or process: to cause something or somebody to begin doing something, or begin to do something
set my heart thumping
set to work
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4. transitive verb apply fire: to apply something to an object or material that will cause it to burn
set fire to the house
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5. transitive verb concentrate mind: to focus your mind on a goal or task
Once he sets his mind to it, he can usually come up with a solution.
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6. transitive and intransitive verb solidify: to become, or cause something to become, solid or hard
Let the concrete set.
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7. intransitive verb become permanent: to become permanent or fast
(
refers to dyes or colors
)
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8. transitive verb arrange something for use: to arrange, place, or prepare something to be used
set a trap
set the table
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9. transitive verb adjust measuring device: to adjust a mechanical or electronic device such as a clock to a desired time, level, or position
set the counter at zero
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10. transitive verb decide on something: to reach a decision about something such as a price or time
We've set a date for the wedding.
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11. transitive verb impose something: to establish or impose something that determines the scope or direction of future action
set a limit to government spending
set a course for home
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12. transitive verb establish example or standard: to establish something that others have to emulate, follow, or try to beat
tried to set an example for her younger siblings
set a precedent
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13. transitive verb consider as having value: to consider something as having a particular value
set a high value on his own work
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14. transitive verb assign something for study: to make something, usually a particular book or subject, an obligatory object of study for a course or examination
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15. transitive verb instruct somebody to do something: to assign a task to somebody or give somebody instructions to do something
set homework for the children
set two men to guard the gate
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16. transitive verb arrange hair: to arrange hair by using styling products or clips
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17. transitive verb put broken bone in position: to put a broken bone back in its normal position so it can heal properly
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18. intransitive verb heal: to heal up and become solid after being broken
(
refers to bones
)
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19. transitive verb provide music for something: to provide the music that a particular text is to be sung to
set his words to music
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20. transitive verb portray in particular setting: to portray something as happening in a particular place or time period
(
usually passive
)
The play is set in the 19th century.
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21. transitive verb put scenery on stage: to place scenery on a stage
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22. transitive verb arrange type: to arrange type for printing
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23. transitive verb put gem in setting: to put a gem or stone in a metal setting
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24. transitive verb adorn: to adorn something with decorations
set a gown with sequins
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25. transitive and intransitive verb position sail: to rig a sail to catch the wind, or be rigged in this way
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26. intransitive verb go below horizon: to move below the horizon
(
refers to the Sun and Moon
)
watched the sun set
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27. intransitive verb come to gradual end: to come to a gradual end and pass into eclipse or obscurity
(
literary
)
a glorious writing career that has at last begun to set
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28. intransitive verb fit well or poorly: to fit in a particular way
(
refers to clothes
)
The skirt sets well.
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29. intransitive verb sports get ready to start race: to get into a position ready to start a race
Ready, get set, go!
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30. transitive verb let dough rise: to place dough aside to allow it to rise
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31. transitive verb sharpen something: to sharpen a blade
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32. transitive verb displace teeth on saw: to bend the teeth of a saw alternately to either side of the blade
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33. transitive verb drive nail head below surface: to drive the head of a nail below the surface
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34. transitive and intransitive verb plants produce fruit or seeds: to produce fruit or seeds after being pollinated, or be produced in this way
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35. transitive verb agriculture gardening plant: to plant something
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36. transitive and intransitive verb agriculture sit or make sit on eggs: to sit on eggs, or put a hen to sit on eggs, to keep them warm
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37. transitive and intransitive verb hunting indicate game: to indicate the presence of game by turning toward it and holding that position
(
refers to hunting dogs
)
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38. transitive verb beat in bridge: in bridge, to prevent an opponent from meeting the contract
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39. intransitive verb metallurgy become bent: to become bent from strain
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40. transitive verb regional sit somebody: to cause somebody to sit somewhere
Set yourself here.
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noun (plural sets) |
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| Definition: |
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1. condition of solidity: the condition of being solid
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2. posture: the particular position, angle, or posture of a part of the body, often considered suggestive of a character trait or emotion
the set of his shoulders
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3. fit of clothes: the way something hangs when worn
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4. direction of wind or moving water: the direction of a wind, tide, or current
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5. arrangement of sails: the way the sails and other rigging are arranged on a sailboat
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6. theatrical scenery: an arrangement of scenery for a scene in a play or movie
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7. place where scene is filmed: the place or area where the actors perform when a scene in a movie is shot
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8. hair-styling technique: a method of styling hair that involves giving it a particular shape when wet and then drying it so that it retains that shape
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9. preference: a preference for or increased ability in a particular activity
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10. bias influencing reaction to stimulus: the psychological state that causes a living being to react to a stimulus in a particular way
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11. printing width of piece of type: the width of a piece of type
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12. printing width of line of type: the width of a column or a page of type
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13. agriculture gardening seedling ready for planting: a plant that is ready to be planted, e.g. a seedling
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14. agriculture clutch of eggs: the number of eggs that a hen lays at one time
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15. metallurgy distortion under stress: a distortion or bending that occurs in metal as a result of stress
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16. industry zoology
Same as sett
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adjective |
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| Definition: |
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1. established: previously established, arranged, or decided upon
There's no set way of doing this.
a set menu
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2. according to stereotype: conforming to an established, often conventional formula
rattled off a set speech
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3. assigned to study: assigned for students to study
a set text
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4. ready: prepared for somebody or something, or to do something
We're all set to go.
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5. determined: determined to do something
We're set on the idea and won't consider changing.
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| [ Old English settan "cause to sit" < Germanic, "sit"] |
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set in your ways unwilling to change your habitual ways of doing things
Living alone he's become more set in his ways.
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