set-up

[ set-uhp ]
/ ˈsɛtˌʌp /

noun

Surveying.
  1. station(def 14a).
  2. a surveying instrument precisely positioned for observations from a station.
  3. a gap between the end of a chain or tape being used for a measurement and the point toward which it is laid.

Definition for set up (2 of 2)

Origin of set

before 900; (v.) Middle English setten, Old English settan; cognate with Old Norse setja, German setzen, Gothic satjan, all < Germanic *satjan, causative of *setjan to sit1; (noun) (in senses denoting the action of setting or the state of being set) Middle English set, set(t)e, derivative of the v. and its past participle; (in senses denoting a group) Middle English sette < Old French < Latin secta sect (in later use influenced by the v. and Middle Low German gesette set, suite)

synonym study for set

1. See put. 70. See circle.

usage note for set

The verbs set and sit1 are similar in form and meaning but different in grammatical use. Set is chiefly transitive and takes an object: Set the dish on the shelf. Its past tense and past participle are also set : Yesterday he set three posts for the fence. The judge has set the date for the trial. Set also has some standard intransitive uses, as “to pass below the horizon” ( The sun sets late in the northern latitudes during the summer ) and “to become firm, solid, etc.” ( This glue sets quickly ). The use of set for sit, “to be seated,” is nonstandard: Pull up a chair and set by me.
Sit is chiefly intransitive and does not take an object: Let's sit here in the shade. Its past tense and past participle are sat : They sat at the table for nearly two hours. Have they sat down yet? Transitive uses of sit include “to cause to sit” ( Pull up a chair and sit yourself down ) and “to provide seating for” ( The waiter sat us near the window ).

OTHER WORDS FROM set

in·ter·set, verb (used with object), in·ter·set, in·ter·set·ting. mis·set, verb, mis·set, mis·set·ting. self-set, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH set

set sit (see usage note at the current entry)

British Dictionary definitions for set up (1 of 3)

set up

verb (adverb, mainly tr)

noun setup

adjective set-up

physically well-built

British Dictionary definitions for set up (2 of 3)

set 1
/ (sɛt) /

verb sets, setting or set (mainly tr)

noun

adjective

Word Origin for set

Old English settan, causative of sittan to sit; related to Old Frisian setta, Old High German sezzan

British Dictionary definitions for set up (3 of 3)

set 2
/ (sɛt) /

noun

verb sets, setting or set

(intr) (in square dancing and country dancing) to perform a sequence of steps while facing towards another dancer set to your partners
(usually tr) to divide into sets in this school we set our older pupils for English

Word Origin for set

C14 (in the obsolete sense: a religious sect): from Old French sette, from Latin secta sect; later sense development influenced by the verb set 1

Medical definitions for set up

set
[ sĕt ]

v.

n.

Scientific definitions for set up

set
[ sĕt ]

A collection of distinct elements that have something in common. In mathematics, sets are commonly represented by enclosing the members of a set in curly braces, as {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}, the set of all positive integers from 1 to 5.

Idioms and Phrases with set up (1 of 2)

set up

1

Place in an upright position, as in I keep setting up this lamp but it won't stay up. [c. 1200]

2

Elevate, raise; also, put in a position of authority or power, as in They set him up as their leader. [Late 1300s]

3

Put oneself forward, claim to be, as in He set himself up as an authority on the banking system. [Mid-1800s]

4

Assemble, erect, make ready for use, as in They set up the sound system last night. [c. 1200]

5

Establish, found, as in They set up a new charity for the homeless. [Early 1400s]

6

Establish in business by providing capital or other backing, as in His father set her up in a new dental practice. [First half of 1500s]

7

Treat someone to drinks, pay for drinks, as in Please let us set you up tonight. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

8

Stimulate or exhilarate, as in That victory really set up our team. [c. 1600]

9

Lay plans for, as in I think they set up the kidnapping months ago. [First half of 1900s]

10

Prepare someone for a deception or trickery or joke, as in They set up their victim for the usual real estate scam, or Her friends set her up so that she was the only person in costume. [Mid-1900s]

11

Cause, bring about, as in The new taxes set up howls of protest. [Mid-1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with set up (2 of 2)

set