setaside









setaside


noun

  1. something, as land or profits, set aside for a particular purpose.
  2. a tract of federal lands set aside as a wildlife refuge, oil exploration site, etc.
  3. a tract of farmland on which commercial crops or a specific crop will not be grown, as part of a federal plan to decrease production in order to maintain or increase prices.
  4. a specified amount or percentage of an industry’s production set aside, especially for government use: Ten percent of gasoline production is a set-aside for emergency use by the state.
  5. a government contract awarded, as to a minority-owned business, without competitive bidding.

adjective

  1. pertaining to or constituting a set-aside: set-aside provisions of the new law.

verb (used with object), put, put·ting.

  1. to move or place (anything) so as to get it into or out of a specific location or position: to put a book on the shelf.
  2. to bring into some relation, state, etc.: to put everything in order.
  3. to place in the charge or power of a person, institution, etc.: to put a child in a special school.
  4. to subject to the endurance or suffering of something: to put convicted spies to death.
  5. to set to a duty, task, action, etc.: I put him to work setting the table.
  6. to force or drive to some course or action: to put an army to flight.
  7. to render or translate, as into another language: He put the novel into French.
  8. to provide (words) with music as accompaniment; set: to put a poem to music.
  9. to assign or attribute: You put a political interpretation on everything.
  10. to set at a particular place, point, amount, etc., in a scale of estimation: I’d put the distance at five miles.
  11. to bet or wager: to put two dollars on a horse.
  12. to express or state: To put it mildly, I don’t understand.
  13. to apply, as to a use or purpose: to put one’s knowledge to practical use.
  14. to set, give, or make: to put an end to an ancient custom.
  15. to propose or submit for answer, consideration, deliberation, etc.: to put a question before a committee.
  16. to impose, as a burden, charge, or the like: to put a tax on luxury articles.
  17. to invest (often followed by in or into): to put one’s money in real estate; to put one’s savings into securities.
  18. to lay the blame of (usually followed by on, to, etc.): He put my failure to lack of experience.
  19. to throw or cast, especially with a forward motion of the hand when raised close to the shoulder: to put the shot.

verb (used without object), put, put·ting.

  1. to go, move, or proceed: to put to sea.
  2. Informal. to begin to travel: to put for home.
  3. to shoot out or grow, or send forth shoots or sprouts.

noun

  1. a throw or cast, especially one made with a forward motion of the hand when raised close to the shoulder.
  2. Also called put option. Finance. an option that gives the right to sell a fixed amount of a particular stock at a predetermined price within a given time, purchased by a person who expects the stock to decline.Compare call(def 52).

Verb Phrases

  1. put about,
    1. Nautical.to change direction, as on a course.
    2. to start (a rumor); circulate.
    3. to inconvenience; trouble.
    4. to disturb; worry.
    5. to turn in a different direction.
  2. put across,
    1. to cause to be understood or received favorably: She put across her new idea. He puts himself across well.
    2. to do successfully; accomplish: to put a project across.
    3. to be successful in (a form of deception): It was obviously a lie, but he put it across.
  3. put aside/by,
    1. to store up; save.
    2. Also set aside.to put out of the way; place to one side: Put aside your books and come for a walk.
  4. put away,
    1. to put in the designated place for storage: Put away the groceries as soon as you get home.
    2. to save, especially for later use: to put away a few dollars each week.
    3. to discard: Put away those childish notions.
    4. to drink or eat, especially in a large quantity; finish off: to put away a hearty supper after jogging.
    5. to confine in a jail or a mental institution: He was put away for four years.
    6. to put to death by humane means: The dog was so badly injured that the veterinarian had to put it away.
  5. put down,
    1. to write down; register; record.
    2. to enter in a list, as of subscribers or contributors: Put me down for a $10 donation.
    3. to suppress; check; squelch: to put down a rebellion.
    4. to attribute; ascribe: We put your mistakes down to nervousness.
    5. to regard or categorize: He was put down as a chronic complainer.
    6. Informal.to criticize, especially in a contemptuous manner; disparage; belittle.
    7. Informal.to humble, humiliate, or embarrass.
    8. to pay as a deposit.
    9. to store for future use: to put down a case of wine.
    10. to dig or sink, as a well.
    11. to put (an animal) to death; put away.
    12. to land an aircraft or in an aircraft: We put down at Orly after six hours.
  6. put forth,
    1. to bring out; bear; grow: The trees are putting forth new green shoots.
    2. to propose; present: No one has put forth a workable solution.
    3. to bring to public notice; publish: A new interpretation of the doctrine has been put forth.
    4. to exert; exercise: We will have to put forth our best efforts to win.
    5. to set out; depart: Dark clouds threatened as we put forth from the shore.
  7. put forward,
    1. to propose; advance: I hesitated to put forward my plan.
    2. to nominate, promote, or support, as for a position: We put him forward for treasurer.
  8. put in,
    1. Also put into.Nautical.to enter a port or harbor, especially for shelter, repairs, or provisions.
    2. to interpose; intervene.
    3. to spend (time) as indicated.
  9. put in for, to apply for or request (something): I put in for a transfer to another department.
  10. put off,
    1. to postpone; defer.
    2. to confuse or perturb; disconcert; repel: We were put off by the book’s abusive tone.
    3. to get rid of by delay or evasion.
    4. to lay aside; take off.
    5. to start out, as on a voyage.
    6. to launch (a boat) from shore or from another vessel: They began to put off the lifeboats as the fire spread.
  11. put on,
    1. to clothe oneself with (an article of clothing).
    2. to assume insincerely or falsely; pretend.
    3. to assume; adopt.
    4. to inflict; impose.
    5. to cause to be performed; produce; stage.
    6. Informal.to tease (a person), especially by pretending the truth of something that is untrue: You can’t be serious—you’re putting me on, aren’t you?
    7. to act in a pretentious or ostentatious manner; exaggerate: All that putting on didn’t impress anyone.
  12. put out,
    1. to extinguish, as a fire.
    2. to confuse; embarrass.
    3. to be vexed or annoyed: He was put out when I missed our appointment.
    4. to subject to inconvenience.
    5. Baseball, Softball, Cricket.to cause to be removed from an opportunity to reach base or score; retire.
    6. to publish.
    7. to go out to sea.
    8. to manufacture; prepare; produce.
    9. to exert; apply: They were putting out their best efforts.
    10. Slang: Vulgar.(of a woman) to engage in coitus.
  13. put over,
    1. to succeed in; accomplish: It will take an exceptional administrator to put over this reorganization.
    2. to postpone; defer: Discussion of this point will be put over until new evidence is introduced.
  14. put through,
    1. to complete successfully; execute: He was not able to put through his project.
    2. to bring about; effect: The proposed revisions have not as yet been put through.
    3. to make a telephone connection for: Put me through to Los Angeles.
    4. to make (a telephone connection): Put a call through to Hong Kong.
    5. to cause to undergo or endure: She’s been put through a lot the past year.
  15. put up,
    1. to construct; erect.
    2. to can (vegetables, fruits, etc.); preserve (jam, jelly, etc.).
    3. to set or arrange (the hair).
    4. to provide (money); contribute.
    5. to accommodate; lodge.
    6. to display; show.
    7. to stake (money) to support a wager.
    8. to propose as a candidate; nominate: Someone is going to put him up for president.
    9. to offer, especially for public sale.
    10. Archaic.to sheathe one’s sword; stop fighting.
  16. put upon, to take unfair advantage of; impose upon: Some of the employees felt put upon when they were asked to work late.
  17. put up to, to provoke; prompt; incite: Someone put him up to calling us.
  18. put up with, to endure; tolerate; bear: I couldn’t put up with the noise any longer.

Idioms

  1. put it to, Slang.
    1. to overburden with work, blame, etc.: They really put it to him in officer-training school.
    2. to take advantage of; cheat: That used car dealer put it to me good.
  2. put oneself out, to take pains; go to trouble or expense: She has certainly put herself out to see that everyone is comfortable.
  3. put something over on, to take advantage of; deceive: He suspected that his friend had put something over on him, but he had no proof.
  4. put to it, to be confronted with a problem; have difficulty: We were put to it to find the missing notebook.
  5. stay put, Informal. to remain in the same position; refuse to move: The baby wouldn’t stay put, and kept trying to climb out of the playpen.

verb (used with object), set, set·ting.

  1. to put (something or someone) in a particular place: to set a vase on a table.
  2. to place in a particular position or posture: Set the baby on his feet.
  3. to place in some relation to something or someone: We set a supervisor over the new workers.
  4. to put into some condition: to set a house on fire.
  5. to put or apply: to set fire to a house.
  6. to put in the proper position: to set a chair back on its feet.
  7. to put in the proper or desired order or condition for use: to set a trap.
  8. to distribute or arrange china, silver, etc., for use on (a table): to set the table for dinner.
  9. to place (the hair, especially when wet) on rollers, in clips, or the like, so that the hair will assume a particular style.
  10. to put (a price or value) upon something: He set $7500 as the right amount for the car. The teacher sets a high value on neatness.
  11. to fix the value of at a certain amount or rate; value: He set the car at $500. She sets neatness at a high value.
  12. to post, station, or appoint for the purpose of performing some duty: to set spies on a person.
  13. to determine or fix definitely: to set a time limit.
  14. to resolve or decide upon: to set a wedding date.
  15. to cause to pass into a given state or condition: to set one’s mind at rest; to set a prisoner free.
  16. to direct or settle resolutely or wishfully: to set one’s mind to a task.
  17. to present as a model; place before others as a standard: to set a good example.
  18. to establish for others to follow: to set a fast pace.
  19. to prescribe or assign, as a task.
  20. to adjust (a mechanism) so as to control its performance.
  21. 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.
  22. to adjust (a timer, alarm of a clock, etc.) so as to sound when desired: He set the alarm for seven o’clock.
  23. to fix or mount (a gem or the like) in a frame or setting.
  24. to ornament or stud with gems or the like: a bracelet set with pearls.
  25. to cause to sit; seat: to set a child in a highchair.
  26. to put (a hen) on eggs to hatch them.
  27. to place (eggs) under a hen or in an incubator for hatching.
  28. to place or plant firmly: to set a flagpole in concrete.
  29. to put into a fixed, rigid, or settled state, as the face, muscles, etc.
  30. to fix at a given point or calibration: to set the dial on an oven; to set a micrometer.
  31. to tighten (often followed by up): to set nuts well up.
  32. to cause to take a particular direction: to set one’s course to the south.
  33. Surgery. to put (a broken or dislocated bone) back in position.
  34. (of a hunting dog) to indicate the position of (game) by standing stiffly and pointing with the muzzle.
  35. Music.
    1. to fit, as words to music.
    2. to arrange for musical performance.
    3. to arrange (music) for certain voices or instruments.
  36. Theater.
    1. to arrange the scenery, properties, lights, etc., on (a stage) for an act or scene.
    2. to prepare (a scene) for dramatic performance.
  37. Nautical. to spread and secure (a sail) so as to catch the wind.
  38. Printing.
    1. to arrange (type) in the order required for printing.
    2. to put together types corresponding to (copy); compose in type: to set an article.
  39. Baking. to put aside (a substance to which yeast has been added) in order that it may rise.
  40. to change into curd: to set milk with rennet.
  41. to cause (glue, mortar, or the like) to become fixed or hard.
  42. to urge, goad, or encourage to attack: to set the hounds on a trespasser.
  43. 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.
  44. to affix or apply, as by stamping: The king set his seal to the decree.
  45. 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.
  46. to sharpen or put a keen edge on (a blade, knife, razor, etc.) by honing or grinding.
  47. to fix the length, width, and shape of (yarn, fabric, etc.).
  48. Carpentry. to sink (a nail head) with a nail set.
  49. to bend or form to the proper shape, as a saw tooth or a spring.
  50. 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.

verb (used without object), set, set·ting.

  1. to pass below the horizon; sink: The sun sets early in winter.
  2. to decline; wane.
  3. to assume a fixed or rigid state, as the countenance or the muscles.
  4. (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.
  5. to become firm, solid, or permanent, as mortar, glue, cement, or a dye, due to drying or physical or chemical change.
  6. to sit on eggs to hatch them, as a hen.
  7. to hang or fit, as clothes.
  8. to begin to move; start (usually followed by forth, out, off, etc.).
  9. (of a flower’s ovary) to develop into a fruit.
  10. (of a hunting dog) to indicate the position of game.
  11. to have a certain direction or course, as a wind, current, or the like.
  12. Nautical. (of a sail) to be spread so as to catch the wind.
  13. Printing. (of type) to occupy a certain width: This copy sets to forty picas.
  14. Nonstandard. sit: Come in and set a spell.

noun

  1. the act or state of setting or the state of being set.
  2. a collection of articles designed for use together: a set of china; a chess set.
  3. 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.
  4. a number, group, or combination of things of similar nature, design, or function: a set of ideas.
  5. a series of volumes by one author, about one subject, etc.
  6. a number, company, or group of persons associated by common interests, occupations, conventions, or status: a set of murderous thieves; the smart set.
  7. the fit, as of an article of clothing: the set of his coat.
  8. fixed direction, bent, or inclination: The set of his mind was obvious.
  9. bearing or carriage: the set of one’s shoulders.
  10. the assumption of a fixed, rigid, or hard state, as by mortar or glue.
  11. the arrangement of the hair in a particular style: How much does the beauty parlor charge for a shampoo and set?
  12. a plate for holding a tool or die.
  13. an apparatus for receiving radio or television programs; receiver.
  14. Philately. a group of stamps that form a complete series.
  15. 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.
  16. a construction representing a place or scene in which the action takes place in a stage, motion-picture, or television production.
  17. Machinery.
    1. the bending out of the points of alternate teeth of a saw in opposite directions.
    2. a permanent deformation or displacement of an object or part.
    3. a tool for giving a certain form to something, as a saw tooth.
  18. a chisel having a wide blade for dividing bricks.
  19. Horticulture. a young plant, or a slip, tuber, or the like, suitable for planting.
  20. Dance.
    1. the number of couples required to execute a quadrille or the like.
    2. a series of movements or figures that make up a quadrille or the like.
  21. Music.
    1. a group of pieces played by a band, as in a night club, and followed by an intermission.
    2. the period during which these pieces are played.
  22. Bridge. a failure to take the number of tricks specified by one’s contract: Our being vulnerable made the set even more costly.
  23. Nautical.
    1. the direction of a wind, current, etc.
    2. the form or arrangement of the sails, spars, etc., of a vessel.
    3. suit(def 12).
  24. Psychology. a temporary state of an organism characterized by a readiness to respond to certain stimuli in a specific way.
  25. Mining. a timber frame bracing or supporting the walls or roof of a shaft or stope.
  26. Carpentry. nail set.
  27. Mathematics. a collection of objects or elements classed together.
  28. Printing. the width of a body of type.
  29. sett(def 3).

adjective

  1. fixed or prescribed beforehand: a set time; set rules.
  2. specified; fixed: The hall holds a set number of people.
  3. deliberately composed; customary: set phrases.
  4. fixed; rigid: a set smile.
  5. resolved or determined; habitually or stubbornly fixed: to be set in one’s opinions.
  6. completely prepared; ready: Is everyone set?

interjection

  1. (in calling the start of a race): Ready! Set! Go!Also get set!

Verb Phrases

  1. set about,
    1. to begin on; start.
    2. to undertake; attempt.
    3. to assault; attack.
  2. set against,
    1. to cause to be hostile or antagonistic.
    2. to compare or contrast: The advantages must be set against the disadvantages.
  3. set ahead, to set to a later setting or time: Set your clocks ahead one hour.
  4. set apart,
    1. to reserve for a particular purpose.
    2. to cause to be noticed; distinguish: Her bright red hair sets her apart from her sisters.
  5. set aside,
    1. to put to one side; reserve: The clerk set aside the silver brooch for me.
    2. to dismiss from the mind; reject.
    3. to prevail over; discard; annul: to set aside a verdict.
  6. set back,
    1. to hinder; impede.
    2. 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.
    3. to reduce to a lower setting: Set back the thermostat before you go to bed.
  7. set by, to save or keep for future use.
  8. set down,
    1. to write or to copy or record in writing or printing.
    2. to consider; estimate: to set someone down as a fool.
    3. to attribute; ascribe: to set a failure down to bad planning.
    4. to put in a position of rest on a level surface.
    5. to humble or humiliate.
    6. to land an airplane: We set down in a heavy fog.
    7. (in horse racing) to suspend (a jockey) from competition because of some offense or infraction of the rules.
  9. set forth,
    1. to give an account of; state; describe: He set forth his theory in a scholarly report.
    2. to begin a journey; start: Columbus set forth with three small ships.
  10. set in,
    1. to begin to prevail; arrive: Darkness set in.
    2. (of winds or currents) to blow or flow toward the shore.
  11. set off,
    1. to cause to become ignited or to explode.
    2. to begin; start.
    3. to intensify or improve by contrast.
    4. to begin a journey or trip; depart.
  12. set on,
    1. Also set upon.to attack or cause to attack: to set one’s dog on a stranger.
    2. to instigate; incite: to set a crew to mutiny.
  13. set out,
    1. to begin a journey or course: to set out for home.
    2. to undertake; attempt: He set out to prove his point.
    3. to design; plan: to set out a pattern.
    4. to define; describe: to set out one’s arguments.
    5. to plant: to set out petunias and pansies.
    6. to lay out (the plan of a building) in actual size at the site.
    7. to lay out (a building member or the like) in actual size.
  14. set to,
    1. to make a vigorous effort; apply oneself to work; begin.
    2. to begin to fight; contend.
  15. set up,
    1. to put upright; raise.
    2. to put into a high or powerful position.
    3. to construct; assemble; erect.
    4. to be assembled or made ready for use: exercise equipment that sets up in a jiffy.
    5. to inaugurate; establish.
    6. to enable to begin in business; provide with means.
    7. Informal.to make a gift of; treat, as to drinks.
    8. Informal.to stimulate; elate.
    9. to propound; plan; advance.
    10. to bring about; cause.
    11. to become firm or hard, as a glue or cement: a paint that sets up within five minutes.
    12. to lead or lure into a dangerous, detrimental, or embarrassing situation, as by deceitful prearrangement or connivance.
    13. 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.
    14. to arrange the murder or execution of: His partner set him up with the mob.
    15. Bridge.to establish (a suit): to set up spades.

Idioms

  1. all set, Informal. in readiness; prepared: They were at the starting line and all set to begin.
  2. 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.
  3. set one’s face against. face(def 56).
  4. set store by. store(def 16).

verb puts, putting or put (mainly tr)

  1. to cause to be (in a position or place)to put a book on the table
  2. to cause to be (in a state, relation, etc)to put one’s things in order
  3. (foll by to) to cause (a person) to experience the endurance or suffering (of)to put to death; to put to the sword
  4. to set or commit (to an action, task, or duty), esp by forcehe put him to work
  5. to render, transform, or translateto put into English
  6. to set (words) in a musical form (esp in the phrase put to music)
  7. (foll by at) to estimatehe put the distance at fifty miles
  8. (foll by to) to utilize (for the purpose of)he put his knowledge to good use
  9. (foll by to) to couple a female animal (with a male) for the purpose of breedingthe farmer put his heifer to the bull
  10. to state; expressto put it bluntly
  11. to set or make (an end or limit)he put an end to the proceedings
  12. to present for consideration in anticipation of an answer or vote; proposehe put the question to the committee; I put it to you that one day you will all die
  13. to invest (money) in; give (support) tohe put five thousand pounds into the project
  14. to impartto put zest into a party
  15. to throw or cast
  16. not know where to put oneself to feel awkward or embarrassed
  17. put paid to to destroy irrevocably and utterlythe manager’s disfavour put paid to their hopes for promotion
  18. stay put to refuse to leave; keep one’s position

noun

  1. a throw or cast, esp in putting the shot
  2. Also called: put option stock exchange an option to sell a stated amount of securities at a specified price during a specified limited periodCompare call (def. 58)

verb sets, setting or set (mainly tr)

  1. to put or place in position or into a specified state or conditionto set a book on the table; to set someone free
  2. (also intr; foll by to or on) to put or be put (to); apply or be appliedhe set fire to the house; they set the dogs on the scent
  3. to put into order or readiness for use; prepareto set a trap; to set the table for dinner
  4. (also intr) to put, form, or be formed into a jelled, firm, fixed, or rigid statethe jelly set in three hours
  5. (also intr) to put or be put into a position that will restore a normal stateto set a broken bone
  6. to adjust (a clock or other instrument) to a position
  7. to determine or establishwe have set the date for our wedding
  8. to prescribe or allot (an undertaking, course of study, etc)the examiners have set “Paradise Lost”
  9. to arrange in a particular fashion, esp an attractive oneshe set her hair; the jeweller set the diamonds in silver
  10. (of clothes) to hang or fit (well or badly) when worn
  11. Also: set to music to provide music for (a poem or other text to be sung)
  12. Also: set up printing to arrange or produce (type, film, etc) from (text or copy); compose
  13. to arrange (a stage, television studio, etc) with scenery and props
  14. to describe or present (a scene or the background to a literary work, story, etc) in wordshis novel is set in Russia
  15. to present as a model of good or bad behaviour (esp in the phrases set an example, set a good example, set a bad example)
  16. (foll by on or by) to value (something) at a specified price or estimation of worthhe set a high price on his services
  17. (foll by at) to price (the value of something) at a specified sumhe set his services at £300
  18. (also intr) to give or be given a particular directionhis course was set to the East
  19. (also intr) to rig (a sail) or (of a sail) to be rigged so as to catch the wind
  20. (intr) (of the sun, moon, etc) to disappear beneath the horizon
  21. to leave (dough, etc) in one place so that it may prove
  22. to sharpen (a cutting blade) by grinding or honing the angle adjacent to the cutting edge
  23. to displace alternate teeth of (a saw) to opposite sides of the blade in order to increase the cutting efficiency
  24. to sink (the head of a nail) below the surface surrounding it by using a nail set
  25. computing to give (a binary circuit) the value 1
  26. (of plants) to produce (fruits, seeds, etc) after pollination or (of fruits or seeds) to develop after pollination
  27. to plant (seeds, seedlings, etc)
  28. to place (a hen) on (eggs) for the purpose of incubation
  29. (intr) (of a gun dog) to turn in the direction of game, indicating its presence
  30. Scot and Irish to let or leaseto set a house
  31. bridge to defeat (one’s opponents) in their attempt to make a contract
  32. a dialect word for sit
  33. set eyes on to see

noun

  1. the act of setting or the state of being set
  2. a condition of firmness or hardness
  3. bearing, carriage, or posturethe set of a gun dog when pointing
  4. the fit or hang of a garment, esp when worn
  5. the scenery and other props used in and identifying the location of a stage or television production, film, etc
  6. Also called: set width printing
    1. the width of the body of a piece of type
    2. the width of the lines of type in a page or column
  7. nautical
    1. the cut of the sails or the arrangement of the sails, spars, rigging, etc, of a vessel
    2. the direction from which a wind is blowing or towards which a tide or current is moving
  8. psychol a temporary bias disposing an organism to react to a stimulus in one way rather than in others
  9. a seedling, cutting, or similar part that is ready for plantingonion sets
  10. a blacksmith’s tool with a short head similar to a cold chisel set transversely onto a handle and used, when struck with a hammer, for cutting off lengths of iron bars
  11. See nail set
  12. the direction of flow of water
  13. a mechanical distortion of shape or alignment, such as a bend in a piece of metal
  14. the penetration of a driven pile for each blow of the drop hammer
  15. a variant spelling of sett

adjective

  1. fixed or established by authority or agreementset hours of work
  2. (usually postpositive) rigid or inflexibleshe is set in her ways
  3. unmoving; fixeda set expression on his face
  4. conventional, artificial, or stereotyped, rather than spontaneousshe made her apology in set phrases
  5. (postpositive; foll by on or upon) resolute in intentionhe is set upon marrying
  6. (of a book, etc) prescribed for students’ preparation for an examination

noun

  1. a number of objects or people grouped or belonging together, often forming a unit or having certain features or characteristics in commona set of coins; John is in the top set for maths
  2. a group of people who associate together, esp a cliquehe’s part of the jet set
  3. maths logic
    1. Also called: classa collection of numbers, objects, etc, that is treated as an entity: 3, the moon is the set the two members of which are the number 3 and the moon
    2. (in some formulations) a class that can itself be a member of other classes
  4. any apparatus that receives or transmits television or radio signals
  5. tennis squash badminton one of the units of a match, in tennis one in which one player or pair of players must win at least six gamesGraf lost the first set
    1. the number of couples required for a formation dance
    2. a series of figures that make up a formation dance
    1. a band’s or performer’s concert repertoire on a given occasionthe set included no new numbers
    2. a continuous performancethe Who played two sets

verb sets, setting or set

  1. (intr) (in square dancing and country dancing) to perform a sequence of steps while facing towards another dancerset to your partners
  2. (usually tr) to divide into setsin this school we set our older pupils for English

v.Old English settan (transitive) “cause to sit, put in some place, fix firmly; build, found; appoint, assign,” from Proto-Germanic *(bi)satjan “to cause to sit, set” (cf. Old Norse setja, Swedish sätta, Old Saxon settian, Old Frisian setta, Dutch zetten, German setzen, Gothic satjan), causative form of PIE *sod-, variant of *sed- “to sit” (see sit (v.)). Also cf. set (n.2). Intransitive sense from c.1200, “be seated.” Used in many disparate senses by Middle English; sense of “make or cause to do, act, or be; start” and that of “mount a gemstone” attested by mid-13c. Confused with sit since early 14c. Of the sun, moon, etc., “to go down,” recorded from c.1300, perhaps from similar use of the cognates in Scandinavian languages. To set (something) on “incite to attack” (c.1300) originally was in reference to hounds and game. adj.“fixed,” c.1200, sett, past participle of setten “to set” (see set (v.)). Meaning “ready, prepared” first recorded 1844. n.1“collection of things,” mid-15c., from Old French sette “sequence,” variant of secte “religious community,” from Medieval Latin secta “retinue,” from Latin secta “a following” (see sect). “[I]n subsequent developments of meaning influenced by SET v.1 and apprehended as equivalent to ‘number set together'” [OED]. The noun set was in Middle English, but only in the sense of “religious sect” (late 14c.), which likely is the direct source of some modern meanings, e.g. “group of persons with shared status, habits, etc.” (1680s). Meaning “complete collection of pieces” is from 1680s. Meaning “group of pieces musicians perform at a club during 45 minutes” (more or less) is from c.1925, though it is found in a similar sense in 1580s. Set piece is from 1846 as “grouping of people in a work of visual art;” from 1932 in reference to literary works. v.late Old English *putian, implied in putung “instigation, an urging,” literally “a putting;” related to pytan “put out, thrust out” (of eyes), probably from a Germanic stem that also produced Danish putte “to put,” Swedish dialectal putta; Middle Dutch pote “scion, plant,” Dutch poten “to plant,” Old Norse pota “to poke.” Meaning “act of casting a heavy stone overhead” (as a trial of strength) is attested from c.1300. Obsolete past tense form putted is attested 14c.-15c. To put down “end by force or authority” (a rebellion, etc.) is from c.1300. Adjective phrase put out “angry, upset” is first recorded 1887; to put out, of a woman, “to offer oneself for sex” is from 1947. To put upon (someone) “play a trick on, impose on” is from 1690s. To put up with “tolerate, accept” (1755) was originally to put up, as in “to pocket.” To put (someone) on “deceive” is from 1958. n.c.1300, “act of throwing a weight overhand as a test of strength,” from put (v.). General meaning “act of putting” is from early 15c. Also cf. putt (n.). n.1943, from verbal phrase (early 15c.); see set (v.) + aside (adv.). Egyptian god, from Greek Seth, from Egyptian Setesh. n.2“act of setting; condition of being set” (of a heavenly body), mid-14c., from set (v.) or its identical past participle. Many disparate senses collect under this word because of the far-flung meanings assigned to the verb: “Action of hardening,” 1837; also “manner or position in which something is set” (1530s), hence “general movement, direction, tendency” (1560s); “build, form” (1610s), hence “bearing, carriage” (1855); “action of fixing the hair in a particular style” (1933). “Something that has been set” (1510s), hence the use in tennis (1570s) and the theatrical meaning “scenery for an individual scene in a play, etc.,” recorded from 1859. Other meanings OED groups under “miscellaneous technical senses” include “piece of electrical apparatus” (1891, first in telegraphy); “burrow of a badger” (1898). Old English had set “seat,” in plural “camp; stable,” but OED finds it “doubtful whether this survived beyond OE.” Cf. set (n.1). Set (n.1) and set (n.2) are not always distinguished in dictionaries; OED has them as two entries, Century Dictionary as one. The difference of opinion seems to be whether the set meaning “group, grouping” (here (n.2)) is a borrowing of the unrelated French word that sounds like the native English one, or a borrowing of the sense only, which was absorbed into the English word. v.

  1. To put in a specified position; place.
  2. To put into a specified state.
  3. To put into a stable position.
  4. To fix firmly or in an immobile manner.
  5. To become fixed or hardened; coagulate.
  6. To bring the bones of a fracture back into a normal position or alignment.

n.

  1. The act or process of setting.
  2. The condition resulting from setting.
  3. A permanent firming or hardening of a substance.
  4. The carriage or bearing of a part of the body.
  5. A particular psychological state, usually of anticipation or preparedness.

  1. A collection of distinct elements that have something in common. In mathematics, sets are commonly represented by enclosing the members of a set in curly braces, as {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, the set of all positive integers from 1 to 5.

In addition to the idioms beginning with put

  • put a bug in someone’s ear
  • put across
  • put a damper on
  • put all one’s eggs in one basket
  • put an end to
  • put an idea in one’s head
  • put a premium on
  • put aside
  • put a spin on
  • put at ease
  • put at someone’s disposal
  • put away
  • put back the clock
  • put behind one
  • put by
  • put down
  • put down roots
  • put forth
  • put forward
  • put hair on one’s chest
  • put heads together
  • put ideas into someone’s head
  • put in
  • put in a good word
  • put in an appearance
  • put in mind of
  • put in mothballs
  • put in one’s place
  • put in one’s two cents
  • put in order
  • put in the way of
  • put into effect
  • put into practice
  • put into words
  • put it mildly
  • put it to
  • put lead in one’s pencil
  • put money on
  • put off
  • put on
  • put on a brave face
  • put on a brave front
  • put on airs
  • put on an act
  • put on a pedestal
  • put one in mind of
  • put one into the picture
  • put one off
  • put one off one’s stride
  • put one out
  • put one’s back into it
  • put one’s back up
  • put one’s best foot forward
  • put one’s cards on the table
  • put oneself in someone’s place
  • put oneself out
  • put one’s face on
  • put one’s feet up
  • put one’s finger on
  • put one’s foot down
  • put one’s foot in it
  • put one’s hand to
  • put one’s head on the block
  • put one’s house in order
  • put one’s mind to
  • put one’s money where one’s mouth is
  • put one’s nose out of joint
  • put one’s oar in
  • put one’s shoulder to the wheel
  • put on hold
  • put on ice
  • put on one’s thinking cap
  • put on the dog
  • put on the feed bag
  • put on the map
  • put on the spot
  • put on weight
  • put our heads together
  • put out
  • put out feelers
  • put out of business
  • put out of one’s mind
  • put out to grass
  • put over
  • put paid to
  • put right
  • put someone away
  • put someone down
  • put someone in his or her place
  • put someone on
  • put someone out of his or her misery
  • put someone right
  • put someone through his or her paces
  • put someone up
  • put someone up to
  • put someone wise
  • put that in your pipe and smoke it
  • put the arm on
  • put the blame on
  • put the cart before the horse
  • put the fear of God into
  • put the finger on
  • put the heat on
  • put their heads together
  • put the kibosh on
  • put the lid on
  • put the make on
  • put the screws on
  • put the skids on
  • put the skids under
  • put through
  • put through the wringer
  • put to bed
  • put to death
  • put to flight
  • put together
  • put to good use
  • put to it, be
  • put to rights
  • put to sea
  • put to shame
  • put to sleep
  • put to the test
  • put two and two together
  • put up
  • put upon, be
  • put up or shut up
  • put up with
  • put wise
  • put words in someone’s mouth
  • also see:

  • (put) at ease
  • (put on a) brave face
  • cart before the horse, put
  • clamp down (put the clamps on)
  • flesh out (put flesh and bone on)
  • for (put in one’s) two cents
  • (put on a) hair shirt
  • hard put
  • (put) in effect
  • (put) in the picture
  • lay (put) one’s cards on the table
  • lay (put) one’s hands on
  • lay (put) the blame on
  • (put someone’s) nose out of joint
  • not put something past someone
  • (put) off the track
  • (put) on a pedestal
  • (put) out of business
  • pull (put over) a fast one
  • put one’s head on the block
  • throw (put) off the scent
  • Also see underset. In addition to the idioms beginning with set

  • set about
  • set against
  • set an example
  • set apart
  • set a precedent
  • set aside
  • set at
  • set at rest
  • set back
  • set back on one’s heels
  • set back the clock
  • set by
  • set down
  • set eyes on
  • set fire to
  • set foot
  • set forth
  • set forward
  • set in
  • set in motion
  • set in one’s ways, be
  • set off
  • set on
  • set on a pedestal
  • set one back
  • set one back on one’s feet
  • set one’s back up
  • set one’s cap for
  • set one’s face against
  • set one’s heart on
  • set one’s mind at rest
  • set one’s mind on
  • set one’s seal on
  • set one’s sights on
  • set one’s teeth on edge
  • set on fire
  • set out
  • set right
  • set sail
  • set store by
  • set straight
  • set the pace
  • set the record straight
  • set the scene for
  • set the table
  • set the wheels in motion
  • set the world on fire
  • set to
  • set tongues wagging
  • set to rights
  • set up
  • set up housekeeping
  • set upon
  • set up shop
  • also see:

  • all set
  • dead set against
  • get set
  • get (set) someone’s back up
  • get (set) the ball rolling
  • lay (set) eyes on
  • on a pedestal, set
  • smart set
  • tongues wagging, set
  • Also see underput.

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