set

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To put or place something in a particular position.

   She set the cups carefully on the table.

2. 2
   verb

   To prepare or arrange something for a particular purpose.

   They set up an experiment to test the theory.

3. 3
   verb

   To decide and fix something firmly, such as rules or a time.

   The committee set the rules for the competition.

4. 4
   verb

   To place the action of a story in a particular time or place.

   The film is set in Africa during the 1950s.

5. 5
   verb

   To achieve the best or highest level of something.

   She set a new world record in the 100 metres.

Common collocations

• set a date Verb + noun
• set one's watch Verb + noun
• set the table Verb + noun
• set up a system Verb + noun
• set a record Verb + noun
• set adrift Verb + adverb
• set ashore Verb + adverb
• set aside Verb + adverb
• set forth Verb + adverb
• set apart Verb + adverb
• setting aside Verb + adverb
• set off Verb + adverb

From Middle English set, sete, sette (“that which is set, the act of setting, seat”), from Old English set (“setting, seat, a place where people remain, habitation, camp, entrenchment, a place where animals are kept, stall, fold”) and Old English seten (“a set, shoot, slip, branch; a nursery, plantation; that which is planted or set; a cultivated place; planting, cultivation; a setting, putting; a stopping; occupied land”), related to Old English settan (“to set”). Compare Middle Low German gesette (“a set, suite”), Old English gesetl (“assembly”). According to Skeat, in senses denoting a grou…

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images