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sit

sit [ sit ]


verb  (past and past participle sat [ sat ], present participle sit·ting, 3rd person present singular sits)
Definition:
 
1. intransitive verb rest with weight on buttocks: to assume a position of rest in which the weight is largely supported by the buttocks, usually with the body vertical and the thighs horizontal

2. transitive verb place somebody in seat: to place somebody or yourself in a seat or a sitting position

3. intransitive verb rest body on hindquarters: to rest the body with the weight supported by the lowered hindquarters ( refers to four-legged animals )

4. intransitive verb perch, roost, or cover eggs: to perch, roost, or cover and warm eggs for hatching ( refers to birds )

5. intransitive verb be placed or situated: to be located or positioned somewhere
The dishes were still sitting on the table.

6. intransitive verb be idle: to be or remain idle or unused
sat around all day

7. intransitive verb occupy position of authority: to be a member of an official decision-making or governing body, e.g. a jury, council, or committee, or preside in a court
sits on the House Appropriations Committee

8. intransitive verb meet in official session: to hold an official session or be in session ( refers to a legislative or judicial body )
The court will sit tomorrow to hear appeals.

9. intransitive verb pose for something: to pose for a portrait or picture
She sat for an official portrait.

10. transitive and intransitive verb  ( informal )
Same as  baby-sit (sense 1)


11. transitive verb have seats for number of people: to have seats or seating space for a particular number of people
We can sit ten around the dining table.

12. intransitive verb rest or weigh in particular way: to rest, weigh, or lie in a particular way
The responsibility sat heavily on his shoulders.

13. intransitive verb be regarded in particular way: to be accepted or considered by somebody in a particular way
The news didn't sit well with her.

14. intransitive verb be digestible: to be digestible ( informal )

15. intransitive verb be compatible: to accord with or seem appropriate in conjunction with something
It was not, they thought in those days, a role that sat well with motherhood.

16. intransitive verb fit or hang: to fit or hang on somebody in a particular way
a gown that sat beautifully on her



noun  (plural sits)
Definition:
 
1. time spent being seated: a period of being seated, especially while waiting

2. dress way garment fits: the way a garment hangs on somebody

[ Old English sittan< Indo-European]

sit tight to refrain from moving or acting until the right time (informal)
I'll be right there - just sit tight.
advised shareholders to sit tight


sitting pretty in a good or favorable position (informal)


Word Usage
sat or sitting?

Sat, the past participle of the verb sit, is sometimes wrongly used in place of the present participle sitting in sentences like this: I was sitting [not sat] by the telephone, waiting for it to ring. The only correct use of I was sat is as the passive form of sit in the sense "place somebody in a seat," as in I asked for a seat near the president, but I was sat at the opposite end of the table. The same mistake sometimes occurs with stood and standing, the past and present participles of the verb stand: I've been standing [not stood] here for almost an hour.

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