set

Universal Words verb, noun, adjective verb (setting, set, set) put / start 1 [VN+adv./prep.] to put sth/sb in a particular place or position: She set a tray down on the table. * They ate everything that was set in front of them. * The house is set (= situated) in fifty acres of parkland. 2 to cause sb/sth to be in a particular state; to start sth happening: [VN, +adv./prep.] Her manner immediately set everyone at their ease. * He pulled the lever and set the machine in motion. * The new leader has set the party on the road to success. * [VN-ADJ] The hijackers set the hostages free. * [VN-ing] Her remarks set me thinking. play / book / movie 3 [VN] [usuallypassive] to place the action of a play, novel or film/movie in a particular place, time, etc: The novel is set in London in the 1960s. clock / machine 4 [VN] to prepare or arrange sth so that it is ready for use or in position: She set the camera on automatic. * I set my watch by (= make it show the same time as) the TV. * Set the alarm for 7 o'clock. table 5 [VN] ~ a / the table to arrange knives, forks, etc. on a table for a meal: Could you set the table for dinner? * The table was set for six guests. jewellery 6 [VN] [usuallypassive] ~ A in B