- set
- I [[t]se̱t[/t]]
NOUN USES
♦sets1) N-COUNT: oft N of n A set of things is a number of things that belong together or that are thought of as a group.
There must be one set of laws for the whole of the country...
I might need a spare set of clothes...
The computer repeats a set of calculations...
Only she and Mr Cohen had complete sets of keys to the shop...
The mattress and base are normally bought as a set.
...a chess set.
2) N-COUNT: oft supp N In tennis, a set is one of the groups of six or more games that form part of a match.Graf was leading 5-1 in the first set.
3) N-COUNT In mathematics, a set is a group of mathematical quantities that have some characteristic in common.4) N-COUNT A band's or musician's set is the group of songs or tunes that they perform at a concert.The band continued with their set after a short break...
He plays a solo acoustic set.
5) N-SING: supp N You can refer to a group of people as a set if they meet together socially or have the same interests and lifestyle.→ See also jet set...what the press called `The Chelsea Set' - upper-class rakes forced by lack of cash to fraternise with criminals.
6) N-COUNT: also on/off N The set for a play, film, or television show is the furniture and scenery that is on the stage when the play is being performed or in the studio where filming takes place.From the first moment he got on the set, he wanted to be a director too...
He achieved fame for his stage sets for the Folies Bergeres.
...a movie set.
...stars who behave badly on set.
7) N-SING: usu the N of n The set of someone's face or part of their body is the way that it is fixed in a particular expression or position, especially one that shows determination.Matt looked at Hugh and saw the stubbornness in the set of his shoulders...
Artist Richard Stone has captured in her eyes and the set of her face her steely determination.
8) N-COUNT: oft supp N A set is an appliance. For example, a television set is a television.Children spend so much time in front of the television set...
II [[t]se̱t[/t]] VERB AND ADJECTIVE USESWe got our first set - black and white - in 1963.
♦sets, setting(The form set is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle of the verb.)1) VERB If you set something somewhere, you put it there, especially in a careful or deliberate way.[V n prep] He took the case out of her hand and set it on the floor...
[V n with adv] When he set his glass down he spilled a little drink.
Syn:2) ADJ: v-link ADJ prep/adv If something is set in a particular place or position, it is in that place or position.The castle is set in 25 acres of beautiful grounds...
Quiberon is set on an eight-mile peninsula.
Syn:3) ADJ: v-link ADJ prep/adv If something is set into a surface, it is fixed there and does not stick out.The man unlocked a gate set in a high wall and let me through...
Set into an alcove under the side deck is a tiny wash basin.
4) VERB You can use set to say that a person or thing causes another person or thing to be in a particular condition or situation. For example, to set someone free means to cause them to be free, and to set something going means to cause it to start working.[V n -ing] Set the kitchen timer going...
[V n -ing] A phrase from the conference floor set my mind wandering...
[be V-ed adj/adv] Dozens of people have been injured and many vehicles set on fire...
[V n with prep] Churchill immediately set into motion a daring plan.
5) VERB When you set a clock or control, you adjust it to a particular point or level.[V n adv/prep] Set the volume as high as possible...
[V n] I forgot to set my alarm and I overslept.
6) VERB If you set a date, price, goal, or level, you decide what it will be.[V n] The conference chairman has set a deadline of noon tomorrow...
[V n] A date will be set for a future meeting...
[V n] The German government has set a tight budget for next year...
[be V-ed at n] The pass mark is set at 50 per cent.
Syn:7) VERB If you set a certain value on something, you think it has that value.[V n on n/-ing] She sets a high value on autonomy...
[V n on n/-ing] If you set no value on being a woman yourself, how can you expect others to?
8) VERB If you set something such as a record, an example, or a precedent, you do something that people will want to copy or try to achieve.[V n] Legal experts said her case would not set a precedent because it was an out-of-court settlement...
[V n] A new world marathon record of 2 hrs, 8 min, 5 sec, was set by Stephen Jones of Great Britain...
[V n] They set the pace in cutting ozone-damaging emissions...
[V n n] If you are smoking in front of the children then you are setting them a bad example.
Syn:9) VERB If someone sets you a task or aim or if you set yourself a task or aim, you need to succeed in doing it.[V n n] I have to plan my academic work very rigidly and set myself clear objectives...
[V n n] We will train you first before we set you a task...
[V n n] The secret to happiness is to keep setting yourself new challenges.
10) VERB To set an examination or a question paper means to decide what questions will be asked in it. [BRIT](in AM, usually use make up)[V n] He broke with the tradition of setting examinations in Latin.
11) ADJ: usu ADJ n You use set to describe something which is fixed and cannot be changed.Investors can apply for a package of shares at a set price...
A set period of fasting is supposed to bring us closer to godliness...
There is a set menu from ₤24.00 for two courses with coffee.
Syn:12) ADJ: ADJ n A set book must be studied by students taking a particular course. [BRIT](in AM, use required)One of the set books is Jane Austen's Emma.
13) ADJ: v-link ADJ prep/adv If a play, film, or story is set in a particular place or period of time, the events in it take place in that place or period.The play is set in a small Midwestern town.
...a 1964 science fiction novel by Philip K Dick, set in 1994 in a colony of humans on Mars...
The Hungarian director has completed her powerful Diary trilogy, set against the background of events in her country.
14) ADJ: v-link ADJ to-inf If you are set to do something, you are ready to do it or are likely to do it. If something is set to happen, it is about to happen or likely to happen.Roberto Baggio is set to become one of the greatest players of all time...
[V n] The talks are set to continue through the week.
15) ADJ: v-link ADJ on/against n/-ing If you are set on something, you are strongly determined to do or have it. If you are set against something, you are strongly determined not to do or have it.She was set on going to an all-girls school...
Margaret was always mischievous and set on her own individual course...
France is also set against devaluation.
16) VERB If you set your face or jaw, you put on a fixed expression of determination.[V n] Instead, she set her jaw grimly and waited in silence...
[V n] He came insolently towards Mr. Won, his features set in a scowl.
17) VERB When something such as jelly, melted plastic, or cement sets, it becomes firm or hard.You can add ingredients to these desserts as they begin to set...
Lower the heat and allow the omelet to set on the bottom...
[V adj] The material requires higher temperatures and pressures to set hard.
18) VERB When the sun sets, it goes below the horizon.They watched the sun set behind the distant dales.
[V-ing] ...the red glow of the setting sun.
19) VERB To set a trap means to prepare it to catch someone or something.[V n for n] He seemed to think I was setting some sort of trap for him...
[V n] They dug trenches in their path and set booby traps.
20) VERB When someone sets the table, they prepare it for a meal by putting plates and cutlery on it.Syn:21) VERB If someone sets a poem or a piece of writing to music, they write music for the words to be sung to.[V n to n] He has attracted much interest by setting ancient religious texts to music.
22) → See also , set-to23) PHRASE: V inflects If someone sets the scene or sets the stage for an event to take place, they make preparations so that it can take place.The Democrat convention has set the scene for a ferocious election campaign this autumn...
The company has been setting the stage recently for progress in the US.
24) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone is set in their ways, you are being critical of the fact that they have fixed habits and ideas which they will not easily change, even though they may be old-fashioned.Phrasal Verbs:- set back- set down- set in- set off- set on- set out- set up- set upon
English dictionary. 2008.
