n.

1. a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
   
   • a set of books
   • a set of golf clubs
   • a set of teeth
2. (mathematics) an abstract collection of numbers or symbols
   
   • the set of prime numbers is infinite
3. several exercises intended to be done in series;
   exercise set
   
   • he did four sets of the incline bench press
4. representation consisting of the scenery and other properties used to identify the location of a dramatic production;
   stage set
   
   • the sets were meticulously authentic
5. an unofficial association of people or groups;
   circle, band, lot
   
   • the smart set goes there
   • they were an angry lot
6. a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way;
   bent
   
   • the set of his mind was obvious
7. the act of putting something in position
   
   • he gave a final set to his hat
8. a unit of play in tennis or squash
   
   • they played two sets of tennis after dinner
9. the process of becoming hard or solid by cooling or drying or crystallization;
   hardening, solidifying, solidification, curing
   
   • the hardening of concrete
   • he tested the set of the glue
10. evil Egyptian god with the head of a beast that has high square ears and a long snout; brother and murderer of Osiris;
    Set, Seth
11. the descent of a heavenly body below the horizon
    
    • before the set of sun
12. (psychology) being temporarily ready to respond in a particular way;
    readiness
    
    • the subjects' set led them to solve problems the familiar way and to overlook the simpler solution
    • his instructions deliberately gave them the wrong set
13. any electronic equipment that receives or transmits radio or tv signals
    
    • the early sets ran on storage batteries

v.

1. put into a certain place or abstract location;
   put, place, pose, position, lay
   
   • Put your things here
   • Set the tray down
   • Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
   • Place emphasis on a certain point
2. fix conclusively or authoritatively;
   determine
   
   • set the rules
3. decide upon or fix definitely;
   specify, determine, fix, limit
   
   • fix the variables
   • specify the parameters
4. establish as the highest level or best performance;
   mark
   
   • set a record
5. put into a certain state; cause to be in a certain state
   
   • set the house afire
6. fix in a border
   
   • The goldsmith set the diamond
7. make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc;
   fix, prepare, set up, ready, gear up
   
   • Get the children ready for school!
   • prepare for war
   • I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill
8. set to a certain position or cause to operate correctly
   
   • set clocks or instruments
9. locate;
   localize, localise, place
   
   • The film is set in Africa
10. disappear beyond the horizon;
    go down, go under
    
    • the sun sets early these days
11. adapt for performance in a different way;
    arrange
    
    • set this poem to music
12. put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground;
    plant
    
    • Let's plant flowers in the garden
13. apply or start
    
    • set fire to a building
14. become gelatinous;
    jell, congeal
    
    • the liquid jelled after we added the enzyme
15. set in type;
    typeset
    
    • My book will be typeset nicely
    • set these words in italics
16. put into a position that will restore a normal state
    
    • set a broken bone
17. insert (a nail or screw below the surface, as into a countersink);
    countersink
18. give a fine, sharp edge to a knife or razor
19. urge a dog to attack someone;
    sic
20. estimate;
    place, put
    
    • We put the time of arrival at 8 P.M.
21. equip with sails or masts;
    rig, set up
    
    • rig a ship
22. get ready for a particular purpose or event;
    set up, lay out
    
    • set up an experiment
    • set the table
    • lay out the tools for the surgery
23. alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard;
    adjust, correct
    
    • Adjust the clock, please
    • correct the alignment of the front wheels
24. bear fruit;
    fructify
    
    • the apple trees fructify
25. arrange attractively;
    dress, arrange, do, coif, coiffe, coiffure
    
    • dress my hair for the wedding

adj.

1. (usually followed by `to' or `for') on the point of or strongly disposed;
   fit(p), primed(p), set(p)
   
   • in no fit state to continue
   • fit to drop
   • laughing fit to burst
   • she was fit to scream
   • primed for a fight
   • we are set to go at any time
2. fixed and unmoving;
   fixed, rigid
   
   • with eyes set in a fixed glassy stare
   • his bearded face already has a set hollow look"- Connor Cruise O'Brien; "a face rigid with pain
3. situated in a particular spot or position;
   located, placed, situated
   
   • valuable centrally located urban land
   • strategically placed artillery
   • a house set on a hilltop
   • nicely situated on a quiet riverbank
4. set down according to a plan:"a carefully laid table with places set for four people";
   laid
   
   • stones laid in a pattern
5. being below the horizon;
   set(p)
   
   • the moon is set
6. determined or decided upon as by an authority;
   determined, dictated
   
   • date and place are already determined
   • the dictated terms of surrender
   • the time set for the launching
7. converted to solid form (as concrete);
   hardened