set

1. To put (something) down, to rest.

   Set the tray there.

2. To attach or affix (something) to something else, or in or upon a certain place.

   I have set my heart on running the marathon.

3. To put in a specified condition or state; to cause to be.
4. To start (a fire).
5. To cause to stop or stick; to obstruct; to fasten to a spot.

   to set a coach in the mud

6. To determine or settle.

   to set the rent

7. To adjust.

   I set the alarm at 6 a.m.

8. To punch (a nail) into wood so that its head is below the surface.
9. To arrange with dishes and cutlery, to set the table.

   Please set the table for our guests.

10. To introduce or describe.

    I’ll tell you what happened, but first let me set the scene.

11. To locate (a play, etc.); to assign a backdrop to, geographically or temporally.

    He says he will set his next film in France.

12. To compile, to make (a puzzle or challenge).

    This crossword was set by Araucaria.

13. To prepare (a stage or film set).
14. To fit (someone) up in a situation.
15. To arrange (type).

    It was a complex page, but he set it quickly.

16. To devise and assign (work) to.

    The teacher set her students the task of drawing a foot.

17. To direct (the ball) to a teammate for an attack.
18. To solidify.

    The glue sets in four minutes.

19. To render stiff or solid; especially, to convert into curd; to curdle.

    to set milk for cheese

20. Of a heavenly body, to disappear below the horizon of a planet, etc, as the latter rotates.

    The moon sets at eight o'clock tonight.

21. To defeat a contract.
22. (now followed by "out", as in set out) To begin to move; to go forth.
23. To produce after pollination.

    to set seed

24. (of fruit) To be fixed for growth; to strike root; to begin to germinate or form.
25. (Midwestern US) To sit (be in a seated position).

    He sets in that chair all day.

26. To hunt game with the aid of a setter.
27. Of a dog, to indicate the position of game.

    The dog sets the bird.

28. To apply oneself; to undertake earnestly.
29. To fit music to words.
30. To place plants or shoots in the ground; to plant.

    to set pear trees in an orchard

31. To become fixed or rigid; to be fastened.
32. To have a certain direction of motion; to flow; to move on; to tend.

    The current sets to the north; the tide sets to the windward.

33. (country dancing) To acknowledge a dancing partner by facing him or her and moving first to one side and then to the other, while she or he does the opposite.

    Set to partners! was the next instruction from the caller.

34. To place or fix in a setting.

    to set a precious stone in a border of metal

35. To put in order in a particular manner; to prepare.

    to set (that is, to hone) a razor

36. To extend and bring into position; to spread.

    to set the sails of a ship

37. To give a pitch to, as a tune; to start by fixing the keynote.

    to set a psalm

38. To reduce from a dislocated or fractured state.

    to set a broken bone

39. To lower into place and fix solidly, as the blocks of cut stone in a structure.
40. To wager in gambling; to risk.
41. To adorn with something infixed or affixed; to stud; to variegate with objects placed here and there.
42. To value; to rate; used with at.
43. To establish as a rule; to furnish; to prescribe; to assign.

    to set a good example

44. To suit; to become.

    It sets him ill.

1. A punch for setting nails in wood.

   nail set

2. A device for receiving broadcast radio waves (or, more recently, broadcast data); a radio or television.

   television set

3. A small tuber or bulb used instead of seed, particularly onion sets and potato sets.
4. The amount the teeth of a saw protrude to the side in order to create the kerf.
5. That which is staked; a wager; hence, a gambling game.
6. Permanent change of shape caused by excessive strain, as from compression, tension, bending, twisting, etc.

   the set of a spring

7. A bias of mind; an attitude or pattern of behaviour.
8. (piledriving) A piece placed temporarily upon the head of a pile when the latter cannot otherwise be reached by the weight, or hammer.
9. The width of the body of a type.
10. A young oyster when first attached.
11. Collectively, the crop of young oysters in any locality.
12. A series or group of something. (Note the similar meaning in Etymology 4, Noun)
13. The manner, state, or quality of setting or fitting; fit.

    the set of a coat

14. The pattern of a tartan, etc.
15. The camber of a curved roofing tile.
16. The full number of eggs set under a hen.

1. The system of tunnels that is the home of a badger.
2. The pattern of distinctive threads and yarns that make up the plaid of a Scottish tartan.
3. A small, square-cut piece of quarried stone used for paving and edging.

1. Fixed in position.
2. Rigid, solidified.
3. Ready, prepared.

   on your marks, get set, go!;  on your marks, set, go!

4. Intent, determined (to do something).

   set on getting to his destination

5. Prearranged.

   a set menu

6. Fixed in one’s opinion.

   I’m set against the idea of smacking children to punish them.

7. (of hair) Fixed in a certain style.

1. A young plant fit for setting out; a slip; shoot.
2. A rudimentary fruit.
3. The setting of the sun or other luminary; (by extension) the close of the day.
4. General movement; direction; drift; tendency.
5. A matching collection of similar things. (Note the similar meaning in Etymology 1, Noun.)

   a set of tables

6. A collection of various objects for a particular purpose.

   a set of tools

7. An object made up of several parts.

   a set of steps

8. A collection of zero or more objects, possibly infinite in size, and disregarding any order or repetition of the objects which may be contained within it.
9. (in plural, “sets”) Set theory.
10. A group of people, usually meeting socially.

    the country set

11. The scenery for a film or play.
12. The initial or basic formation of dancers.
13. (exercise) A group of repetitions of a single exercise performed one after the other without rest.
14. A complete series of games, forming part of a match.
15. A complete series of points, forming part of a match.
16. The act of directing the ball to a teammate for an attack.
17. A musical performance by a band, disc jockey, etc., consisting of several musical pieces.
18. A drum kit, a drum set.

    He plays the set on Saturdays.

19. A class group in a subject where pupils are divided by ability.
20. Three of a kind, especially if two cards are in one's hand and the third is on the board. Compare trips.

verb

To divide a class group in a subject according to ability