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setting > define

noun

  • The context and environment in which something is set.
    • usage: "the perfect setting for a ghost story"
  • The state of the environment in which a situation exists.
    • usage: "you can't do that in a university setting"
  • Arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted.
  • The set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation or event.
    • usage: "the historical context"
  • The physical position of something.
    • usage: "he changed the setting on the thermostat"
  • A table service for one person.
    • usage: "a place setting of sterling flatware"
  • A mounting consisting of a piece of metal (as in a ring or other jewelry) that holds a gem in place.
    • usage: "the diamond was in a plain gold mount"

verb

  • Put into a certain place or abstract location.
    • usage: "Put your things here"; "Set the tray down"; "Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children"; "Place emphasis on a certain point"
  • Fix conclusively or authoritatively.
    • usage: "set the rules"
  • Decide upon or fix definitely.
    • usage: "fix the variables"; "specify the parameters"
  • Establish as the highest level or best performance.
    • usage: "set a record"
  • Put into a certain state; cause to be in a certain state.
    • usage: "set the house afire"
  • Fix in a border.
    • usage: "The goldsmith set the diamond"
  • Make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc.
    • usage: "Get the children ready for school"; "prepare for war"; "I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill"
  • Set to a certain position or cause to operate correctly.
    • usage: "set clocks or instruments"
  • Locate.
    • usage: "The film is set in Africa"
  • Disappear beyond the horizon.
    • usage: "the sun sets early these days"
  • Adapt for performance in a different way.
    • usage: "set this poem to music"
  • Put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground.
    • usage: "Let's plant flowers in the garden"
  • Apply or start.
    • usage: "set fire to a building"
  • Become gelatinous.
    • usage: "the liquid jelled after we added the enzyme"
  • Set in type.
    • usage: "My book will be typeset nicely"; "set these words in italics"
  • Put into a position that will restore a normal state.
    • usage: "set a broken bone"
  • Insert (a nail or screw below the surface, as into a countersink.
  • Give a fine, sharp edge to a knife or razor.
  • Urge to attack someone.
    • usage: "The owner sicked his dogs on the intruders"; "the shaman sics sorcerers on the evil spirits"
  • Estimate.
    • usage: "We put the time of arrival at 8 P. M."
  • Equip with sails or masts.
    • usage: "rig a ship"
  • Get ready for a particular purpose or event.
    • usage: "set up an experiment"; "set the table"; "lay out the tools for the surgery"
  • Alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard.
    • usage: "Adjust the clock, please"; "correct the alignment of the front wheels"
  • Bear fruit.
    • usage: "the apple trees fructify"
  • Arrange attractively.
    • usage: "dress my hair for the wedding"
by WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
  • (n.) The act of marking the position of game, as a setter does; also, hunting with a setter.
  • (n.) Something set in or inserted.
  • (n.) The act of one who or that which, sets; as, the setting of type or of gems; the setting of the sun; the setting (hardening) of moist plaster of Paris; the setting (set) of a current.
  • (p.pr.&vb.n.) of Set.
  • (n.) That in which something, as a gem, is set; as, the gold setting of a jeweled pin.
by Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary