to put (something or someone) 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 (a table)

to set the table for dinner.

to place (the hair, esp. when wet) on rollers, in clips, or the like, so that the hair will assume a particular style.

to put (a price or value) upon something

He set

to fix the value of at a certain amount or rate; value

He set the car at

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 (a mechanism) so as to control its performance.

to adjust the hands of (a clock or watch) according to a certain standard

I always set my watch by the clock in the library.

to adjust (a timer, alarm of a clock, etc.) so as to sound when desired

He set the alarm for seven o'clock.

to fix or mount (a gem or the like) 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 (a hen) on eggs to hatch them.

to place (eggs) 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 (often fol. by up )

to set nuts well up.

to cause to take a particular direction

to set one's course to the south.

Surgery . to put (a broken or dislocated bone) back in position.

(of a hunting dog) to indicate the position of (game) by standing stiffly and pointing with the muzzle.

Music .

to fit, as words to music.

to arrange for musical performance.

to arrange (music) for certain voices or instruments.

Theater .

to arrange the scenery, properties, lights, etc., on (a stage) for an act or scene.

to prepare (a scene) for dramatic performance.

Nautical . to spread and secure (a sail) so as to catch the wind.

Printing .

to arrange (type) in the order required for printing.

to put together types corresponding to (copy); compose in type

to set an article.

Baking . to put aside (a substance to which yeast has been added) in order that it may rise.

to change into curd

to set milk with rennet.

to cause (glue, mortar, or the like) to become fixed or hard.

to urge, goad, or encourage to attack

to set the hounds on a trespasser.

Bridge . to cause (the opposing partnership or their contract) 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 (a fishhook) 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 (a blade, knife, razor, etc.) by honing or grinding.

to fix the length, width, and shape of (yarn, fabric, etc.).

Carpentry . to sink (a nail head) with a nail set.

to bend or form to the proper shape, as a saw tooth or a spring.

to bend the teeth of (a saw) outward from the blade alternately on both sides in order to make a cut wider than the blade itself.

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.

(of the hair) 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 (usually fol. by forth, out, off, etc.).

(of a flower's ovary) to develop into a fruit.

(of a hunting dog) to indicate the position of game.

to have a certain direction or course, as a wind, current, or the like.

Nautical . (of a sail) to be spread so as to catch the wind.

Printing . (of type) 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 parlor 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 ( def. 12 ) .

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 ( def. 3 ) .

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?

(in calling the start of a race)

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 (a watch or clock) 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.

(in horse racing) to suspend (a jockey) 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.

(of winds or currents) 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 (the plan of a building) in actual size at the site.

to lay out (a building member or the like) 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 (a suit)

to set up spades.

all set

Informal . in readiness; prepared

They were at the starting line and all set to begin.

set forward

to turn the hands of (a watch or clock) to show a later time

When your plane lands in New York, set your watch forward two hours.

set one's face against. face ( def. 53 ) .

set store by. store ( def. 16 ) .

verb

set