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Today most books are set (up) by machine. $\rightarrow$ see also TYPE-SETTER TO ESTABLISH SOMETHING OR FIX IT INTO POSITION 7 [T] to fix or establish (a rule, time, standard, number etc): The price was set at £1000. | Have you set a date for your wedding yet? | The government has set strict limits on pay increases. | By allowing them to go unpunished we are setting a dangerous precedent. | He set a new land speed record. | The preliminary discussion between them set the tone (=established suitable conditions) for a succession of fruitful meetings. | [+obj(i)+obj(d)] Her behaviour sets us all a good example. 8 [T] to fix (a precious stone) into (a piece of jewellery): [+obj+in] He had the diamond set in a ring. | [+obj+with] The ring is set with three diamonds. | (fig.) fml: The dark sky was set with bright stars. 9 [I;T] a) (of a broken bone) to mend in a fixed position b) to put (a broken bone) into a fixed position so that it will mend 10 [T] to arrange (hair) when wet so that it will be in a particular style when dry 11 [T] a) [+adv/prep, especially DOWN] to place (especially oneself) in or on a seat; sit: They bought some drinks at the bar then set themselves down at a table. b) to fix (a part of the body) firmly, especially to show strong feelings, determination etc: He set his jaw and refused to agree to anything I said. | She has set her face against (=she firmly opposes) her daughter's marriage. | The child has set his heart on that toy (=wants it very much) | I've set my mind on this plan and I won't give it up. OTHER MEANINGS 12 [T] to give (a piece of work) for (someone) to do: Who set (the questions for) the exam? | Which books have been set for this year's English exam? | [+obj(i)+obj(d)] The teacher set the class various exercises. | The fall in oil prices has set the government a difficult problem. | We set them to work clearing up all the rubbish. $\rightarrow$ see also SET 13 [T] to write or provide music for (a poem or other words to be sung): Housman's poems were set to music by Vaughan Williams. 14 [I;T] a) to cause (a liquid, soft material etc) to become solid: Set the jelly by putting it in a cold place. | (fig.) set-in-concrete ideas b) (of such materials) to harden or become solid: It will take two or three days for the concrete to set. 15 [I] (of the sun, the moon, a star etc) to pass downwards out of sight below the horizon: In the winter the sun sets early. $\rightarrow$ opposite RISE 16 [I] tech (of a plant) to form and develop seed or fruit: Our apple trees set well last year even though there was a water shortage. 17 [I;T] tech (of a dog) to point out the position of (an animal or bird) with its nose while keeping still PHRASAL VERBS
**set about** sbdy./sthg. phr $v$ [T] 1 a) to begin to do or deal with; start: The sooner we set about it the sooner we'll finish. | [+v-ing] We set about clearing up the mess. | I wouldn't even know how to set about mending a watch. b) to deal with; do: He set about this job in completely the wrong way. 2 infml to attack: Our dog set about the postman.**set sbdy./sthg. against** sbdy./sthg. phr $v$ [T] 1 [(OFF)] to lessen the bad effect of (something) by treating it as not open to (something else bad) or by comparing it with (something good): Certain business losses can be set (off) against taxes. | He has many virtues to set against his faults. $\rightarrow$ compare OFFSET 2 to cause to oppose: Religious wars set family against family.**set sthg./sbdy. $\leftrightarrow$ apart** phr $v$ [T(from)] to show to be clearly different and usually better: His mastery of colour sets him apart from other painters of his era.**set sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ aside** phr $v$ [T] 1 also **set by** — to save for a special purpose: She set aside a little money each week. | I try to set aside some time to visit him. 2 to leave out of consideration: Setting aside my wishes in the matter, what would you really like to do? 3 law to declare to be of no effect: The judge set aside the decision of the lower court.**set back** phr v [T] 1 [(set sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ back)] to place at especially the stated distance behind something: The house is set 15 feet back from the road. 2 [(set sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ back)] to delay the advance or development of, especially by the stated period; make late by a certain amount: The bad weather will set back our building plans (by three weeks). $\rightarrow$ see also SETBACK 3 [(set sbdy. back sthg.)] infml to cost (someone) a large amount of money: That's a nice suit; it must have set you back a bit/a few pounds.**set sbdy./sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ down** phr $v$ [T] 1 BrE (of a vehicle or its driver) to stop and let (a passenger) get out: The bus sets the children down just outside the school gate. 2 [usually pass.] to establish as what must be done: It's clearly set down that you're not allowed to vote twice. 3 old-fash to make a written record of: I have set down everything that happened, exactly as I remember it.**set in** phr $v$ [I] (of a disease, bad weather etc) to begin and probably continue: Winter sets in early in the north. | The sky looks as if a storm may be setting in. | Fortunately the wound was treated before infection could set in.**set off** phr $v$ 1 [I] also set forth especially lit set out — to begin a journey: It's getting late – time to set off. | They set off in search of the lost child. 2 [T(set sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ off)] to cause to explode: The bomb could be set off by the slightest vibration. | They set off the fireworks as soon as it got dark. 3 [T(= set sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ off)] to cause (sudden activity): The relaxation of the licensing laws set off a sudden boom in the liquor industry. | The President's remarks set off a frantic round of activity in the White House. 4 [T(set sbdy. $\leftrightarrow$ off)] infml to cause sudden activity in: The slightest bit of dust sets me off/sets me off sneezing. 5 [T(set sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ off)] to make (something) more noticeable or pleasing to look at by putting it near something different: The sapphire necklace set off her eyes beautifully.**set on** phr $v$ [T] 1 [(set sbdy./sthg. on sbdy.)] to cause to attack or chase: If you dare to come to my house again, I'll set the dog/the police on you! 2 [(set on sbdy.)] also set upon — old-fash (especially of a group) to attack: He was set on by robbers who took all his money.**set out** phr $v$ 1 [T(set sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ out)] to arrange or spread out in order: Set out the chairs for the meeting in rows of ten. | The meal was set out on a long table. | The gardens have been beautifully set out. 2 [I] to set off 3 [I] to begin a usually long or difficult course of action with a clear purpose: He obviously set out with the intention of overthrowing the régime. | [+to-v] We set out to paint the whole house but finished only the front part. | I think you're deliberately setting out to annoy me. 4 [T(set sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ out)] also set forth fml — to explain (facts, reasons etc) in order, especially in writing: The reasons for my decision are set out in my report.**set to** phr $v$ [I] old-fash infml to begin eagerly or with determination: If we all set to, we can finish cleaning the house in an hour. $\rightarrow$ compare SET-TO**set sbdy./sthg. $\leftrightarrow$ up** phr $v$ [T] 1 to put into position: Roadblocks were set up by the police to catch the escaped prisoner. 2 to establish or arrange (an organization, business, plan etc): The council set up a committee to look into unemployment. | He set up a trust fund for his niece. | As part of the selection procedure, the board set up a situation to test the candidates' ability to make decisions. 3 to produce; cause: The high winds set up dangerous driving conditions. | Electrical interference set up a high-pitched hum in the radio. 4 to prepare (an instrument, machine etc) for use: The production team arrived early to set up the cameras and recording equipment. 5 [+obj+adv/prep; often pass.] to provide with what is necessary or useful: That inheritance has set him up for life. | We're well set up with emergency medical supplies. 6 [(for) often pass.] BrE infml to cause to seem guilty; INCRIMINATE: The criminals claimed that they had been set up (by the police). $\rightarrow$ see also SET-UP 7 set up house/home to begin to live in a place: They got married and set up house together.**set (sbdy.) up as** sthg. phr $v$ [T] 1 to establish (oneself) in business as: He set (himself) up as a painter and decorator and soon had plenty of work. 2 [no pass.; not in progressive forms] to claim (oneself) to be: He sets himself up as (=claims that he is) an authority on French painting, but he really knows very little about it.**set$\mathbf{^2}$** adj 1 having the stated position; placed: a city set on a hill | He had very deep-set eyes. | The house is set back from the road/set in beautiful grounds. $\rightarrow$ see also SET 2 fixed; that cannot be changed: I have to study at set hours each day. | a set time/wage 3 [A] which must be studied: The teacher gave us a list of set books for the course. $\rightarrow$ see also SET 4 [A] BrE (of a restaurant meal) with a single fixed dish for each course and at a fixed price: I'll have the set lunch, please. 5 [F+on, upon, against] having a fixed intention; determined: He's very set on going, and I can't make him see that it's a bad idea. | The government's dead set against (=very opposed to) the plan. 6 [F(for)] infml ready; prepared: I'm all set so we can go now. | The starter of a race often says: 'On your marks – get set – go!' | Are you all set for the journey? | [+to-v] I was (all) set to leave the house when the telephone