to put (something) in a particular position, esp to place it carefully or deliberately
to make (something) fixed and rigid
to place (one person or thing) in relation to another
set duty before pleasure
to put (something or somebody) into a specified condition
sets my mind at rest
set them all free
to put (somebody or something) into activity or motion, or start them doing something
The remark set me thinking
to decide on and fix (an amount, time, etc)
Have you set a date for the wedding?
to create or provide (something) as a model or challenge
You must set an example to your brothers and sisters
She's just set a new record for the 5000 metres
to give somebody (a task) to perform
to prescribe (a course, text, etc) for study by students at a certain level or for a particular examination
to instruct (somebody) to do something
They set us to collect wood for the fire
to prepare or adjust (a device) ready for use
I'll set the alarm for seven o'clock
to prepare (a table) for a meal
to bring (something) into contact with something else
I need to marshal my thoughts before I set pen to paper
She set a match to the fire
to describe (an event, story, etc) as taking place in a specified historical period or geographical location
to provide music or instrumentation for (a song, poem, etc)
to plant (seedlings)
to unfurl (a sail) so that it catches the wind
to arrange (type) for printing
to put (text) into type or its equivalent
to fix (the hair) in a desired style by waving, curling, or arranging it, usu while wet
to restore (a bone or limb) to its normal position when dislocated or fractured
to fix (a gem) in a border of metal
this precious stone set in the silver sea — Shakespeare
(usu + with) to cover or surround (something) with decorative objects; to stud or dot (something)
a clear sky set with stars
to bend the tooth points of (a saw) alternately in opposite directions
to sink (the head of a nail) below the surface
to cause (e.g. fruit) to develop
to divide (a year group of pupils) into sets
to teach (a school subject) by dividing the pupils into sets
said of the sun, moon, etc: to pass below the horizon; to go down
to become solid or thickened by chemical or physical alteration
The cement sets rapidly
said of a broken bone: to become whole again by knitting together
used as a command to runners to put themselves into the starting position immediately before the starting signal for a race
said of fruit or seeds: to develop, usu as a result of pollination
to have or take a specified direction in motion; to flow or tend
The wind was setting south
said of a gun dog: to indicate the position of game by crouching or pointing
to dance face to face with somebody in a square dance
Set to your partner and turn
chiefly dialect to sit
to start on (a task or undertaking) with determination
to attack (somebody) physically or verbally
to attack (somebody) violently
to urge (a person or an animal) to attack or pursue somebody
He set his dog on the intruders
to incite (somebody) to action
to begin a voyage
to determine the speed or rate which others must match to keep up
to start to do something
He set to work to undermine their confidence