set¹ / set/ • v. (set·ting; past set) 1. [tr.] put, lay, or stand (something) in a specified place or position: Dana set the mug of tea down | Catherine set a chair by the bed. ∎  (be set) be situated or fixed in a specified place or position: the village was set among olive groves on a hill. ∎  represent (a story, play, movie, or scene) as happening at a specified time or in a specified place: a spy novel set in Berlin. ∎  mount a precious stone in (something, typically a piece of jewelry): a bracelet set with emeralds. ∎  mount (a precious stone) in something. ∎  Printing arrange (type) as required. ∎  Printing arrange the type for (a piece of text): article headings will be set in Times fourteen point. ∎  prepare (a table) for a meal by placing cutlery, dishes, etc., on it in their proper places. ∎  (set something to) provide (music) so that a written work can be produced in a musical form: she set his poem to music. ∎  [intr.] (of a dancer) acknowledge another dancer, typically one's partner, using the steps prescribed: the gentleman sets to and turns with the lady on his left hand. ∎  cause (a hen) to sit on eggs. ∎  place (eggs) for a hen to sit on. ∎  put (a seed or plant) in the ground to grow. ∎  give the teeth of (a saw) alternating outward inclinations. ∎  Sailing put (a sail) up in position to catch the wind: a safe distance from shore all sails were set. See also set sail below.2. [tr.] put or bring into a specified state: plunging oil prices set in motion an economic collapse in Houston | [tr.] the hostages were set free. ∎  [tr.] cause (someone or something) to start doing something: the incident set me thinking. ∎  [tr.] instruct (someone) to do something: he'll set a man to watch you. ∎  give someone (a task): the problem we have been set. ∎  devise (a test) and give it to someone to do. ∎  establish as (an example) for others to follow, copy, or try to achieve: the scheme sets a precedent for other companies. ∎  establish (a record): his time in the 25-meter freestyle set a national record. ∎  decide on: they set a date for a full hearing at the end of February. ∎  fix (a price, value, or limit) on something: the unions had set a limit on the size of the temporary workforce.3. [tr.] adjust the hands of (a clock or watch), typically to show the right time. ∎  adjust (an alarm clock) to sound at the required time. ∎  adjust (a device or its controls) so that it performs a particular operation: you have to be careful not to set the volume too high. ∎  Electr. cause (a binary device) to enter the state representing the numeral 1.4. [intr.] harden into a solid or semisolid state: cook for a further thirty-five minutes until the filling has set. ∎  [tr.] arrange (the hair) while damp so that it dries in the required style: she had set her hair on small rollers. ∎  [tr.] put parts of (a broken or dislocated bone or limb) into the correct position for healing. ∎  [tr.] deal with (a fracture or dislocation) in this way. ∎  (of a bone) be restored to its normal condition by knitting together again after being broken: dogs' bones soon set. ∎  (with reference to a person's face) assume or cause to assume a fixed or rigid expression: [intr.] her features never set into a civil parade of attention | [tr.] Travis's face was set as he looked up. ∎  (of the eyes) become fixed in position or in the feeling they are expressing: his bright eyes set in an expression of mocking amusement. ∎  (of a hunting dog) adopt a rigid attitude indicating the presence of game.5. [intr.] (of the sun, moon, or another celestial body) appear to move toward and below the earth's horizon as the earth rotates: the sun was setting and a warm, red glow filled the sky.6. [intr.] (of a tide or current) take or have a specified direction or course: a fair tide can be carried well past Lands End before the stream sets to the north.7. [tr.] start (a fire).8. [tr.] (of blossom or a tree) develop into or produce (fruit). ∎  [intr.] (of fruit) develop from blossom. ∎  (of a plant) produce (seed): the herb has flowered and started to set seed.9. inf. dial. sit: a perfect lady—just set in her seat and stared.PHRASES: set one's heart (or hopes) on have a strong desire for or to do: she had her heart set on going to college.set sail hoist the sails of a vessel. ∎  begin a voyage: tomorrow we set sail for France.set one's teeth clench one's teeth together. ∎  become resolute: they have set their teeth against a change which would undermine their prospects of forming a government.set up shopsee shop.set someone straight inform someone of the truth of a situation.set the wheels in motion do something to begin a process or put a plan into action.PHRASAL VERBS: set about start doing something with vigor or determination: it would be far better to admit the problem openly and set about tackling it.set someone against cause someone to be in opposition or conflict with: he hadn't meant any harm, but his few words had set her against him.set something against offset something against: wives' allowances can henceforth be set against investment income.set someone apart give someone an air of unusual superiority: his blunt views set him apart.set something apart separate something and keep it for a special purpose: there were books and rooms set apart as libraries.set something aside1. save or keep something, typically money or time, for a particular purpose: the bank expected to set aside about $700 million for restructuring. ∎  remove land from agricultural production.2. annul a legal decision or process.set someone/something back1. delay or impede the progress of someone or something: this incident undoubtedly set back research.2. inf. (of a purchase) cost someone a particular amount of money: that must have set you back a bit.set something by dated save something for future use.set someone down stop and allow someone to alight from a vehicle.set something down record something in writing. ∎  establish something authoritatively as a rule or principle to be followed: the Association set down codes of practice for all members to comply with.set forth begin a journey or trip.set something forth state or describe something in writing or speech: the principles and aims set forth in the Charter.set forward archaic start on a journey.set in (of something unpleasant or unwelcome) begin and seem likely to continue: less hardy plants should be brought inside before cold weather sets in.set off begin a journey.set someone off cause someone to start doing something, esp. laughing or talking: anything will set him off laughing.set something off1. detonate a bomb. ∎  cause an alarm to go off. ∎  cause a series of things to occur: the fear is that this could set off a chain reaction in other financial markets.2. serve as decorative embellishment to: a pink carnation set off nicely by a red bow tie and cream shirt.set something off againstanother way of saying set something against above.set on (or upon) attack (someone) violently.set someone/something on (or upon) cause or urge a person or animal to attack: I was asked to leave and threatened with having dogs set upon me.set out begin a journey. ∎  aim or intend to do something: she drew up a plan of what her organization should set out to achieve.set something out arrange or display something in a particular order or position. ∎  present information or ideas in a well-ordered way in writing or speech: this chapter sets out the debate surrounding pluralism.set to begin doing something vigorously: she set to with bleach and scouring pads to render the vases spotless.set someone up1. establish someone in a particular capacity or role: his father set him up in business.2. restore or enhance the health of someone: after my operation, the doctor recommended a cruise to set me up again.3. inf. make an innocent person appear guilty of something: suppose Zielinski had set him up for Ingram's murder?set something up1. place or erect something in position: police set up a roadblock on Tenth Street.2. establish a business, institution, or other organization. ∎  make the arrangements necessary for something: he asked if I would like him to set up a meeting with the president.3. begin making a loud sound.set oneself up as establish oneself in (a particular occupation): he set himself up as an attorney in St. Louis. ∎  claim to be or act like a specified kind of person (used to indicate skepticism as to someone's right or ability to do so): he set himself up as a crusader for higher press and broadcasting standards.set² • n. 1. a group or collection of things that belong together, resemble one another, or are usually found together: a set of false teeth a new cell with two sets of chromosomes a spare set of clothes. ∎  a collection of implements, containers, or other objects customarily used together for a specific purpose: an electric fondue set. ∎  a group of people with common interests or occupations or of similar social status: it was a fashionable haunt of the literary set. ∎  (in tennis, darts, and other games) a group of games counting as a unit toward a match, only the player or side that wins a defined number or proportion of the games being awarded a point toward the final score: he took the first set 6-3. ∎  (in jazz or popular music) a sequence of songs or pieces performed together and constituting or forming part of a live show or recording: a short four-song set. ∎  a group of people making up the required number for a square dance or similar country dance. ∎  a fixed number of repetitions of a particular bodybuilding exercise; compare with rep⁵ . ∎  Math. & Logic a collection of distinct entities regarded as a unit, being either individually specified or (more usually) satisfying specified conditions: the set of all positive integers.2. [in sing.] the way in which something is set, disposed, or positioned: the shape and set of the eyes. ∎  the posture or attitude of a part of the body, typically in relation to the impression this gives of a person's feelings or intentions: the determined set of her upper torso. ∎  the flow of a current or tide in a particular direction: the rudder kept the dinghy straight against the set of the tide. ∎  an arrangement of the hair when damp so that it dries in the required style: a shampoo and set. ∎  (also dead set) a setter's pointing in the presence of game. ∎  the alternating outward inclinations of the teeth of a saw. ∎  a warp or bend in wood, metal, or another material caused by continued strain or pressure.3. a radio or television receiver: a TV set.4. a collection of scenery, stage furniture, and other articles used for a particular scene in a play or film. ∎  the place or area in which filming is taking place or a play is performed: the magazine has interviews on set with top directors.5. a cutting, young plant, or bulb used in the propagation of new plants. ∎  a young fruit that has just formed.6. the last coat of plaster on a wall.7. Printing the amount of spacing in type controlling the distance between letters. ∎  the width of a piece of type.8. variant spelling of sett. set³ • adj. 1. fixed or arranged in advance: there is no set procedure. ∎  (of a view or habit) unlikely to change: I've been on my own a long time and I'm rather set in my ways. ∎  (of a person's expression) held for an unnaturally long time without changing, typically as a reflection of determination. ∎  (of a meal or menu in a restaurant) offered at a fixed price with a limited choice of dishes. ∎  having a conventional or predetermined wording; formulaic: witnesses often delivered their testimony according to a set speech. See also set phrase. 2. ready, prepared, or likely to do something: “All set for tonight?” he asked | water costs look set to increase. ∎  (set against) firmly opposed to: an approach set against tradition and authority. ∎  (set on) determined to do (something): he's set on marrying that girl.