Middle English Dictionary Entry

setten v.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. asetten v., bisetten v., isetten v., oversetten v.
1.
(a) To make (sb.) sit, seat (sb.); also, with partitive construction: ~ of..over heigh setle, fig. seat (someone's offspring) upon (his) high throne, make to rule; ~ adoun (doun, up), make (sb.) sit down (up); ~ at (to) mete, seat (sb.) at a meal; ~ at diner, seat (sb.) at dinner; ~ to sopere (borde), seat (sb.) at supper (a table); ben set, be seated; (b) ~ abrode (on brod), to make (a fowl) sit on the nest to hatch eggs; ~ to brod, fig. put (metals) to work to multiply (by usury); ~ up, make (a hawk) perch upright; ben set, of a hen: sit on brood; (c) refl. to seat oneself, sit down; ~ adoun (doun, up), sit down (up); ~ akne, ~ on (doun upon) kne, ~ o (on) knes, ~ doun (doun ~) on knes, kneel; (d) to pasture (a horse); stable (an animal), house (a gander); ~ up, stable (a horse), accommodate (hounds in a kennel).
2a.
(a) To move (sb. or sth.) into a certain place; cause (sb. or sth.) to be in a place or position; put or lay (sth.) somewhere, give a particular place to (sb. or sth.); ~ (forth) fot, set foot, go, advance; ~ sikel forth, fig. begin; ben set with honde, of eyebrows: be placed by hand; ppl. set, placed, positioned; (b) to erect (an altar, a booth, tabernacle, etc.), set up (a cross, an image, idol, etc.), pitch (a tent, pavillion); -- also without obj.; post (a bill); set up (a siege engine); raise (a standard); ~ on bonet, naut. hoist the bonnet; ~ togeder, make (a camp); ~ up; ~ up seil, hoist sail; (c) to set (a snare, net, etc.), lay (a trap, siegeworks); set (an ambush, surveillance, etc.), lay (siege); also fig.; ~ setes, take up battle positions; ~ tresoun to blod, fig. be in wait for blood; (d) to dispose (troops), station (sb., a company, huntsmen); position (a hound); arrange (a battle line); post (a guard, spy, etc.); settle (people, souls) in a place, make to dwell; refl. take up position; ~ in (forth, oute, up); ~ to, arrange (Israel's forces); -- transl. of L applicare; ~ feld, draw up troops for battle; ~ stable, hunt. position a station of huntsmen; ben set, be placed, be; ben set for, lie in wait for (sb.); (e) to set a table [quot.: c1400(?c1390)]; arrange (sth.) in proper order or state, dispose; rig (a mast); ~ borde (table); ~ game, arrange game pieces in order for play, set up a game board; ~ garnement, lay out a garment (ready for wear); evene set, of finery: elegantly arranged; thik set, of a stag's head: thick with antlers, full of antlers; (f) to affix (sth.), fix; impale (a head); ~ in rode, crucify (sb.); ~ up; (g) to set (a severed or displaced organ, bodily member, broken bone, etc.) in place to be healed; also, mend (severed seams); ~ ayen, replace (an ear, a nose); ~ ayen wound, bring together the edges of a wound in order to heal it; -- transl. of L obducere; (h) to locate (a structure, city, cave, etc. in a place); make (one's headquarters, one's bed) in a place; ben set, be situated, be located, lie; anat. of a bodily member or a faculty: be found (in a part of the body), reside; set wer, a permanent enclosure in a river to act as a fish pond; (i) ppl. set, formed; set in depenesse, depe set, deep set; ground set, of the physique: ?well-developed; treble (thries) set, arranged in three rows; (j) in proverbs and prov. expressions.
2b.
In fig. phrases: (a) ~ eie on (upon), ~ lok on, to look at (sb. or sth.), take note of; ~ eien (sight), fix (one's) eyes; ~ eien on (upon), look at (sb.); ~ eien to, gaze at (sb. or sth.); ~ sight in (on, to, toward, upon), gaze at (sth.), concentrate on; (b) ~ affeccioun (likinge, lust) in, ~ delight on (upon), ~ desire to, to take pleasure in (sth.); ~ bileve in (on), ~ feith (hope, trust) in, have faith (confidence) in (sth.); ~ corage (world) on, ~ herte unto (upon), love (sb.); ~ herte, give (one's) love: also, of love: cause (someone's) love to be given; ~ herte on, ~ love in (on, upon), be devoted to (sth.); ~ herte to, fix (one's) heart on (heaven); also, bring (someone's) mind into (distress); ~ hight on, set (one's) hope in (God); ~ himself in, of the heart: set itself on (sb.); ~ joie (likinge, plesaunce), take pleasure; ~ love, give (one's) love; ~ resoun on, be devoted to (truth); (c) ~ bisinesse upon, ~ diligence unto (upon), to expend effort on (sth.); ~ meditacioun (minde) in, direct (one's) attention to (God, goodness); ~ minde, focus (one's) mind; ~ minde at-foren eien, set the memory (of sth.) before (one's) eyes; ~ minde to, ~ studie in (upon), ~ thought in (on, to, upon), ~ wit on (unto, upon), ~ wittes in, direct (one's) mind to (sth.); ~ pouere unto, strive toward (Christ); (d) ~ cause (covine, purpose, wille), to fix (one's) intention, decide; ~ entencioun to (for), ~ entente in-to (to), ~ mening on, ~ wille til, desire (sth.); (e) ~ avisement on, to make an appraisal of (sb.); ~ kepinge of (upon), give heed to (sth.); ~ sadnesse in (wisdom on), put (one's) faith in (sth.), trust; (f) with inf.: ~ bisinesse (diligence, studie), to make an effort (to do sth.); ~ corage, of love: motivate (sb. to do sth.); ~ delight (joie, plesaunce), rejoice (to be doing sth.); ~ entente (entencioun), resolve (to do sth.); ~ herte (desire, love), desire (to do sth.); ~ thought (minde, wit), think (to do sth.), be minded; ~ to herte, desire (to do sth.).
2c.
With selected prep. phrases: (a) ~ abord, to set (sb.) aboard (a vessel); ~ abouten, place (sth.) around (sth.); ~ amiddes, fig. set (sb.) between (two evils); ~ among, include (sb.) in (a group), win a place for (a soul) among (the saints in heaven); ~ at, place (sth.) at (sth., a place); ~ at lond, put (sth.) ashore; ~ at sonne, put (sth.) in sunlight, expose to the sun; ~ ayen (toyenes), lay (sth.) against (sth.); ~ ayenes, set (a stumbling block) before (one); (b) ~ bi, to place (sb.) by (sb., one's side); also, set (a number) mentally beside (another number); ~ biforen (afore), place (sth.) in front of (sb. or sth.); also, fig. surpass (sb.); -- also without obj. [quot.: c1300]; ~ bihinden, place (sth.) on the back of (one's shoulders); ~ bisides, place (sth.) beside (sth.); also, place (sb.) beside (sb.); ~ bitwixe, place (sth.) between (things); (c) ~ from, to divert (sth.) from (sth.); ~ from bisinesse of world, refl. withdraw from worldly involvement; ~ o lif, ~ from lif to dede, kill (sb.); ~ of lif, kill (sb., oneself); ~ oute of minde, put (sth.) out of mind, forget about; ~ oute of ship, refl. disembark; ben set from lif, die; set oute of kinde, abnormal; (d) ~ in, to place (sb. or sth.) in (sth., a river, a structure), put (sth.) in (a place); place (sb.) in (prison, the stocks); fig. include (sb.) in (a category or group); ~ in se, set (sb.) on the throne, install as king; ~ in sonne (air), expose (sth.) to sunlight (air); ~ innen (in-to); (e) fig. ~ in foryeting, to forget (sth.); ~ in mouth, put (words) in (someone's) mouth; with inf. or that clause: ~ in herte (hertes, minde, thought), put it in (one's own, someone else's) mind (to do sth., that sth. be done), give the idea of (doing sth.); (f) ~ on, to place (sb. or sth.) on (sb. or sth.); also fig.; put (clothing, a crown, etc.) on (sb., a part of the body); cause (sb.) to be put in (prison); -- also without obj.; ~ on ende, place (sth.) on end; -- without obj.; ~ on half, place (sb.) on (the left or right) side; ~ on heigh (heighte, loft), set (sb. or sth.) in a high place, set up; -- also without obj. [quot.: c1400(?c1390)]; ~ on herte, fig. take (words) to heart; ~ on honde, place (sb.) on (the right) side; place (sth.) in (someone's hands); -- without obj.; also, fig. take (a country) into one's possession; ~ on quartern, set (sb.) in prison; ~ on water, set (an infant in a basket) into the water; (g) ~ honde(s on, to lay violent hands on (sb. or sth.), seize, assault; also, lay hands on (sb.) to heal [quot.: a1425(c1395)]; (h) ~ over (aboven), to place (sb. or sth.) above (sth.); ~ under, set (sth.) under (sth.), place beneath; ~ under lok, fig. suppress (truth); ~ under on name, fig. classify (sth.) under one heading; (i) ~ to (until), to place (sth.) in contact with (sth.); fig. compare (sth.) with (sth.) [quot.: c1443]; ~ to sonne, expose (sth.) to sunlight, set in the sun; ~ bridel to, fig. bridle (a vice), restrain; ~ toward, set (a ladder) toward (heaven); (j) ~ upo, to place (sb. or sth.) upon (sth.), set (a star) in (the sky); ~ upon, place (sth.) upon (sb. or sth.); put (an article of clothing, a garland, etc.) on (sb., a part of the body); ~ bridel upon, fig. bridle (one's desires); ~ honde upon, place a hand on (a place on the body); also, seize (sb.) [quot.: c1490(1471)].
2d.
With selected adverbs: (a) ~ abouten (aboven), to place (sth.) around (above); also, protect (gates) [quot.: c1384]; ~ abroche, tap (a cask, wine), broach; fig. shed (blood); open up (a matter); ~ abrode, stretch out (a body); open (a gate); spread (the thighs); ~ adoun (doun), set (sb. or sth.) down, take down (a curtain); ~ ashore, spread (the legs); ~ asonder (atwinne), separate (persons or things); ~ doun under affeccioun, fig. reject (worldly things); (b) fig. ~ alone, to distinguish (sb.), set apart as peerless; ~ apart, discount (favor, reward, counsel, etc.), disregard (reason); thwart (an intention, justice); reject (excess); ~ awei, arith. disregard (a number) in a process of calculation, discard; (c) ~ aside, to set (sth.) aside temporarily; dismiss (sb.) from (one's) service; pass over (sb.) in favor of another; disregard (sb.); fig. lay aside (fear, reverence, etc.), give up; cease from (war, a vice, etc.), put an end to (delay); put (sth.) out of consideration, discount (flattery, favor, etc.); pass over (a point in an argument), ignore; (d) ~ biforen, to place (sth.) in front; ~ bihinden, place (sth.) in the rear; fig. give up (rancor); refl. put oneself at a disadvantage, act against one's own interests; ~ bisiden, lay aside (a vice); ~ bitwixen, set (sth.) in between; ~ in, place (sth.) inside, insert; set in (a post); ~ on, set on (sth. on sth. else), lay on (leeches on the body); fit (an arrow) to the bowstring, nock; put on (socks); ~ on honde(s, lay on hands, touch; also, grasp, seize; ~ open, open (gates); -- also without obj.; ~ oute, release (souls from Hell); set out (wares for sale); hang out (a banner, garment) on display; ~ togeder, place (colors) side by side; join (bones) together; ~ up, place (sth.) in a high position; hoist up into place; fig. raise (sb.) to the throne, install as ruler; ~ up nose, raise the nose to sniff the wind, take scent; ~ upon, put (a cap on sb.); ~ upright, set (a stone) on end.
3.
(a) To engage in planting; ~ and (or) souen, souen and (other) ~; (b) to plant (a root, shoot, tree, vine, etc.), set out (a plant); graft (a cutting); also fig.; ~ doun, of a plant: be planted; ~ in; (c) to plant (a garden, an orchard); also fig.; ben) set (abouten) with, of a place (an orchard, a ditch, etc.): be) overgrown with (trees, shrubs), be planted with (vines); (d) ~ forth, to put out (a thorn); ~ rote, take root; -- both used fig.; ppl. set, rooted; (e) fig. to implant (a vice, virtue, law, etc. in sb., the heart); set (a soul in the body); plant (a people in a place); ~ in, graft in (gentiles to the stock of Israel); ~ with, plant (sb.) with (a virtue), fill with; ppl. set as adj.: implanted, established; (f) anat. ben set, to be implanted (in a bone); also, with adv.: ben set in; ben set abouten with, be planted all around with (veins, arteries), be full of.
4.
(a) To build (sth.), construct; lay (the foundations of a building); also, cause (sth.) to be built, found (a church, temple, etc.); ~ under, ?make a foundation for (a door); ?make a sill for (a door); ~ up; (b) to found (a nation); (c) to dedicate (a church, temple); (d) fig. ~ in, to base (sth.) upon (sth.), also, ground (sth.) in (God, Christ); ~ on (upon), base (sth.) upon (sth.).
5.
(a) To strike (sb.), smite; strike (a blow, stroke, etc.), strike (sb. a blow); ~ ner, fig. affect (sb.) deeply, strike close to home for (sb.); ~ pul, of wrestlers: grapple; ben hevili set, fig. of the heart: be grieved; (b) ~ at, to chide (sb.); ~ ayenes (up, upon), attack (sb.); ~ on, attack (sb.); also, seize on (sb.), clutch; also, of a storm: strike on (the sea); ~ to, attack (sb., a town); (c) with adverbs: ~ on (upon), to attack, make an assault; ~ togeder, come together in battle, attack each other; (d) ~ after, to set (hounds) in pursuit; ~ at, incite (a hound) to attack (an animal); ~ ayenes (upon), cause (sb.) to attack (sb.); ~ on, cause (sb.) to attack (sb.); also, incite (a hound) to herd sheep; (e) ben set with, to be beset by (sb. or sth.).
6.
(a) To hurl (sth.), cast; ~ doute upon, fig. cast doubt upon (sth.), call into question; ~ o strond, ~ up, cast (sb.) up on land; ben set, of a choice: be made; (b) fig. ~ adoun (doun), to depose (a ruler), remove (an abbot, a bishop) from office; also, bring (sb.) to ruin; ~ oute of kinges stole, depose (a ruler); ~ under fot, defeat (sb.); nether ~, oppress (sb.); set oute of termes, ?vanished; -- transl. of L exterminata; (c) to push (sb.), thrust; ~ apart, fig. put down (civil disorder), forestall; ~ aside purpos, thwart (an intention); ~ aside of purpos, turn (sb.) from (his) purpose; ~ forth (oute), send (sb.) forth; ~ in-to sekenesse, incline (sb.) to sickness, make susceptible to; ~ oute brest, thrust out the chest; (d) to withstand (sb. or sth.).
7.
To convey (sb.), carry, bring; ~ on (to) lond, set (sb.) ashore; ~ to him, draw (sb.) to himself; ~ over, carry (sb.) over the sea; ~ to, bring (persons) together, assemble.
8.
(a) To go, proceed, advance; of a boat: sail; of a sea current: flow; fig. of business: go well; ~ after, pursue (sb.); ~ on, sail on (a certain depth of water; ~ to lond (shipes-ward), refl. head for land (one's ship); with adverbs: ~ alonde, sail to land; ~ forth, start on one's way; ~ in (on, oute), rush into battle; ~ oute on, refl. rush out to attack (sb.); ~ up, rush into battle; also, sail (to land); also, of the sea: rise up; (b) ~ abouten, to surround (sb. or sth.), encircle; beset (sb. or sth.); also fig.; ~ al (rounde) abouten; ~ over, envelop (sb.), encompass; (c) of the sun: to pass below the horizon, set; ben set, have set, be gone down; (d) ~ covert, hunt. to go round a thicket which the quarry has entered (looking for signs that it has exited); ~ ship to lond, land a ship, steer a ship to land; ~ weie, make (one's) way, go; ben set in se (weie), be gone on the sea (one's way).
9.
(a) To direct (sb. or sth.), guide; ~ hede, set (one's own, a horse's) head (toward sth.); ~ in the soth, fig. set (sb.) straight, tell (sb.) the truth; ~ pase, direct (one's) steps; ~ veiles towardes, set sail for (a place); ben set to ende that, be directed to the end that; (b) ~ pointe ashore, fig. to fix on a point for guidance, take direction.
10.
(a) To add; add (sth. to sth.); ~ to, add (sth. to sth.); ben set to, of people: be added; (b) to make an addition to a written text; insert (sth.) in an account or a text; ~ in (to), add (sth. to a text); (c) ~ accountes, to reckon up accounts; ~ somme, total up a sum.
11.
(a) To apply (sth.) to a surface, part of the body, etc.; stamp (an impression) on a coin, imprint; (b) to attach (sth.); ~ on, fasten (sth.) on, attach; ~ prente, affix a seal; (c) to set (an identifying mark on sb.); (d) ~ sele (marke), to set (one's) seal in confirmation; also, with adverbs: ~ on (to) sele.
12.
(a) To mount (a gemstone in a setting, ring, etc.); (b) to ornament (sth. with mounted jewels, precious stones, etc.); stud (sth. with almonds, blades, etc.); ~ with (ful of); ppl. set as adj.: ornamented, studded; set abouten with, of a meadow: dotted with (precious stones); (c) ~ ful of, to adorn (sb.) with (jewelry), bedeck with; ~ with, her. adorn (a field) with (a device).
13.
(a) To use (sth.), utilize; ~ time, employ (one's) time; ~ time to don, take (a span of) time to do (sth.); ben set in-to commaundementes, be used in (carrying out God's) commandments; (b) ~ peine (travail), to expend effort; with inf.: ~ (a) peine, ~ dever, make an effort (to do sth.); ~ red, use (one's) wisdom (to do sth.); ~ thing upon skil, strive for reasonable moderation; (c) ~ honde to dede, to do a deed, perform an act; with adverbs: ~ honde to, take action; ~ on honde, undertake (sth.); with inf.: ~ to honde, set about (to do sth.).
14.
(a) To give (sth.), bestow, present, grant; also, bequeath (property); also, administer (medicine, a remedy); also fig.; ~ glorie to, glorify (God); ~ in fre wille, leave (a course of action) to (someone's) free will; ~ marke of, give a sign (that sth. is so), indicate; ~ over, bestow (sth.) on (sb.); ~ togeder, ?combine (treatments); ?apply (treatments); ben set in honde, lie in (someone's) power; (b) to serve (food, drink), provide; ~ forth; (c) to give (sb.) in marriage; provide (heirs, sons); ben set to, be wedded to (sb.); (d) to offer (sth.), proffer; ~ forth; ~ for, refl. offer oneself for (another); ~ to sale (pris), put (sth.) up for sale; ~ to sellen, offer (sb.) for sale; ~ to wede, offer (sth.) as a pledge; (e) to furnish (sth. with sth.), provide; endow (a county with laws); ~ fotmen, provide (a cohort with) foot-soldiers; ~ oute; ppl. set, equipped; ?also, adorned; (f) to expend (money), lay out for (food and drink); ~ upon score, run up (costs) on the tally; (g) to wager (sth.), stake; ~ ayenes; (h) ~ bisne (ensaumple, essemplaire), to offer an example, afford a model; take example by (sb.); ~ exaumple of, ~ in ensaumple, offer (sb., oneself) as an example, hold up as a model.
15.
(a) To save for the future; -- in proverb; ~ abak, keep (sth.) back, withhold; ~ up, store up (sth.); (b) in fig. phrases: ~ at herte, to hold (sb.) dear; ~ in herte (soule), keep (sth.) in (one's) heart, ponder on; ~ in minde (fele), keep (sth.) in (one's) mind (heart), be mindful of; ~ in remembraunce, remember (sth.); ~ in sight, ~ biforen eien, keep (sth.) before one mentally, think on; ~ to herte, take (sth.) to heart, reflect on; (c) to hold (a town), occupy.
16.
(a) To set a monetary value on (sth.), appraise at a certain worth; ~ at a pris, price (sth.) for sale; ~ pris, set a price (on goods for sale); ~ to pris, set (sth.) for sale at a price; set (profit) at a specific sum; also, fig. set a price [quot.: ?C.d'Orl.]; (b) to rank (sth.) somewhere on a scale; with prep. phrases: ~ afore (biforen), prefer (sth.) to (sth.), consider (sth.) to be of more worth or importance than (sth.); ~ after, rank (a sin) next after (another sin) in seriousness; ~ toforen, judge (one class of beasts) to be of a higher order than (another); also, with adverbs: ~ biforen, prefer (sth.), give precedence to; ~ bihinden, downgrade (sth.), treat as unimportant; (c) to esteem (sb. or sth.), respect, have regard for; ~ his pris heighe, prize himself; ~ in veine, refl. count oneself as nothing; ~ lighte (shorte), have little respect for (sb.) [see also lighte adv.2.]; ~ of non accounte, ~ to ben for nought, consider (sth.) to be of no account; ben set on height, be highly esteemed; (d) with at phrase: ~ at a botoun (pin, etc.), set the value of (sb. or sth.) at a button (pin, etc.), count as worth little; ~ at litel (light, nought, etc.), ~ at litel store, ~ at no value, regard (sth.) as worthless, despise; ~ at litel (light, muchel, etc.) pris, regard (sb. or sth.) as of little (great) value; ~ at scorn, hold (sth.) in contempt; (e) with bi or of phrase: to value (sb. or sth.), care about, regard with esteem; also, heed (sb.) [quot.: 1467]; (f) ~ lesse bi, to value (sb.) less; also, be less concerned by (sth.); ~ lite (no fors, not a rishe) of, think nothing of (sb.); ~ litel bi (of), ~ litel store (not an haue, etc.) of, ~ mite (no pris) at, ~ nought bi, etc., care nothing for (sth.), think nothing of; ~ more of, esteem (sb.) more highly; ~ pris bi (of), esteem (sth.); ~ pris on, esteem (sb. or sth.); (g) with adv. plus bi or at phrase: ~ lighte bi, to think little of (sb.); ~ lightli bi (at), ~ shorte bi, think little of (sth.), consider unimportant; ignore (a warning); ~ most bi, esteem (sb.) most highly; (h) with obj. plus inf. or though clause: to care (a certain amount) about (doing sth.), care though (sth. happen); ~ litel charge, have no scruple (to do sth.); ~ store, think it important (to do sth.).
17.
(a) To appoint (a day, time, etc. for sth. to happen or be done), fix on, settle upon; also, fix (a period of time, span of life), assign; ben no longer set, fig. of one's days: be ended; ppl. set, appointed; (b) to appoint (a feast day, holiday, day of rest, etc.); ~ first the calender, ?establish the starting point of the calendar; (c) to appoint (a place to meet or encamp); also, appoint (a place in a scheme of classification); (d) to appoint (a council, feast, battle), hold at an appointed time.
18.
(a) To establish (a rule, law, covenant, etc.), ordain; issue (a prohibition, command), enjoin (sth.); set (a limit, mean); ~ forth, issue (a commandment); ben set, of fate: be appointed, be ordained; (b) to establish (peace, prosperity, etc.); ordain (a state of enmity); instigate (hate); of Fortune: set (a course of action); ~ up, establish (justice); (c) to determine (a unit of measurement), establish, fix; set (boundaries); ~ at a certain (siker) nombre, fix (things) at a certain number, ordain; ~ diffinicioun of, define (sth.); ~ on long (brede), fix (sth.) in length (breadth); ~ pointe (mesure), determine the center point (size), fix; (d) to prescribe (sth.); also, with inf. or that clause: make (sb. do sth.), ordain (that sb. do sth., that sth. be done); ~ so that, instruct (sb.) so that (he acts in a certain way); ~ space of weie bitwixen, prescribe a distance (to be maintained) between (peoples); (e) mus. to set (a pitch, harmony, tempo), establish; ~ sight, set an imaginary tone in relation to the written tenor tone; ~ vois, set a vocal pitch.
19.
(a) To appoint (sb., an executor, etc.), select, choose; install (sb., a monk, an abbot, etc.) in office; ~ aboven (upon), set (sb., a ruler) to be over (sb.); ~ for, install (sb.) in a position in place of (sb.); ~ on, decide upon (sth.), choose; ~ over, put (sb.) in charge of (sb. or sth.); (b) with obj. plus noun complement: ~ bishop (king, etc.), to make (sb.) a bishop (king, etc.), appoint; ~ as soverain, make (sb.) as it were a king; ~ to bishop (priour, etc.), install (sb.) as bishop (prior, etc.); (c) with adverbs: ~ in, to install (sb.) in office; ~ oute over, ~ up o, appoint (sb.) to be over (sb.).
20.
(a) With noun complement: to use (sth. as sth.); also, make (sth.) into (sth.); ~ as, make (sth.) like (sth.); ~ forth wildernesse, fig. make (sb.) a wilderness; ~ in english, translate (sth.) into English; ~ in moneie, turn (valuables) into cash; ben set in the participle, gram. be rendered by the participle; (b) to regard (sth.) in a certain manner; ~ amis, find fault; -- without obj.; ~ biforen, reckon (a night) as belonging to the day which follows it; ~ for a sinne, consider (sth.) to be a sin; ~ like, regard (things as being) alike; ~ sorli, regard (sth.) unfavorably, judge severely.
21.
(a) To bring about (sth.), effect; accomplish (sth.), achieve; perform (an action), do (sth.); ~ assaies on, fig. attack (sb.); ~ at the pointe, put (sth.) into operation, set going; ~ comparisoun, make a comparison; ~ crouche, make the sign of the cross; ~ in, make (a beginning, middle, end); ~ mono-corde, make agreement; ~ peticiouns graunted, grant (sb. his) petitions; ~ spel on ende, put an end to idle chatter, begin serious talk; (b) to create (sth.); establish (Christianity, orders of priests), set up; ~ on (upon) seven, create (sth.) in seven days; also, ~ (al) on seven, fig. perform feats of prowess, strive to the utmost [quots.: c1440]; (c) with obj. plus noun complement: to make (sth.) out of (a substance); ~ in-to, make (sth). out of (sth.); ben set of, consist of, comprise, be made from; set streit cloth, brod (streit) set cloth, woolen cloth of a specified length and breadth; plaine set, simply made, not ornamented; (d) to set (a fire), kindle; also, of a fire: kindle, blaze; ~ on.
22.
(a) To impose (a penance, penalty, fine), assess (a tax, payment, etc.); enjoin (a prayer), require to be said; inflict (severe treatment); ppl. set, prescribed, imposed; (b) to set (a task, work) to be performed, impose (duties); with inf.: appoint (work for sb. to do, a book for sb. to follow), assign; ~ marke, set a target (for sb.); also, fig. set a goal; (c) to impose (sorrow, pain), inflict (persecution); ~ a governail, impose control; ~ aue on (onto), ~ dreding on, make (sb.) afraid.
23.
(a) To subject (sb. or sth. to sth.), cause to undergo; -- also refl.; ~ at assai, put (sth.) to a test of quality; ~ at paie (wille), subject (sth.) to one's pleasure (will); ~ binethen, refl. subject oneself to (sb.), submit to; ~ in borgh-gage, refl. pledge oneself (to do sth.); ~ lif in aventure of deth, risk (one's) life; ~ on iwald, put (a country) in (one's) power; ~ to, refl. attach oneself to (sb.), follow after; ~ to raunsoun, hold (sb.) for ransom; ~ under laue, subject (one's heart) to a law; ben set to, be subject to (sth.); (b) ~ to account (skil), ~ to (til) resoun, to call (sb.) to account, demand reckoning of.
24.
(a) To place (sb. or sth. in a specified sphere of activity), set (sb. to a pursuit, study, school, etc.); -- also refl.; ~ in folie (ribaudie, unthrift), turn (sb.) to folly (ribaldry, profligacy); ~ in werkinge, put (sth.) to use; ~ on werk, put (sb.) to work; ~ to (til) bok, ~ to lettre (lore), instruct (sb.), set to learning; (b) with inf.: to set (sb. to do or be sth.), appoint, assign; also, assign (a flock to angels to keep); (c) ~ awerke, to put (sb.) to work, occupy in a task; set (sth.) in process; put (sth.) to use; also, iron. ill-treat (sb.) [quot.: a1470]; with inf.: put (sb.) to work (to do sth.).
25.
(a) To bring (sb. or sth. into a certain state, physical, social, or spiritual); place (sb. in specified circumstances); ~ doun, ruin (sb. or sth.); ~ in hate, cause (sb.) to be in (God's) bad graces; ~ in mene, bring (it) about (that sth. is so); ~ stable, stabilize (sth.); ~ to nought, ruin (someone's name); ~ to surete, refl. achieve security; ~ up, elevate (sb. to knighthood); ben set aboven (alofte), prevail, be triumphant; ben set in doute, of an outcome: be uncertain; ben set in rigor, of words, deeds: be firm; ben set softe, be in favorable circumstances; (b) to put (sb., one's heart, mind, etc. into a certain state, mental or emotional); ~ herte to pite, make (sb.) feel pity; ~ saught, cause (sb.) to be at peace; also, propitiate (sb.); also, with inf.: ~ in (in-to, to) wille, put (sb.) into a frame of mind (to do sth.); (c) ~ afire, ~ on fir (a loue), to set (sth.) on fire; also, fig. inflame (sb., the heart, etc.); ~ in (upon a) fir, ~ on leit (light), set (sth.) on fire; ~ o fir, make (part of the body) hot; ~ to fir, commit arson; (d) ~ a rore, to plunge (sb., the church) into an agitated condition; ~ in arrai, force (stars and planets) into a certain configuration; ~ in assise, deploy (troops), organize (a kingdom); ~ in bataille (werre); ~ in better cas; ~ in even (order); ~ in rore, plunge (the world) into confusion; ~ in sise, set (sth.) in order; also, control (one's notions); (e) ~ at pes (reste), ~ in pes (quiete, reste, tranquilite), to set (sb., a country, etc.) in a state of civil order, set at peace; pacify (adversaries), bring to accord; settle (disputes), bring an end to (wars); (f) ~ in (under) governaunce, to bring (sb. or sth., a kingdom, household) under control, set in good order; ~ in ordinaunce, keep (sb.) under control; ~ in reule, bring (sb., someone's life, a kingdom) under control, set in order; ~ in right reule, correct (sb.), set on a right course of action; ~ oute of reule, cast (sb.) into a state of disorder; (g) in misc. phrases: ~ in accord, to bring (persons) to agreement; ~ in assent, agree to (sth.); ~ in blame, condemn (the world), find fault with; ~ in delai, delay (sth.), put off; ~ in mesure, moderate (sorrow, pain); ~ in unite, bring (sth.) into a state of unity; set in variaunce, set at odds with one another; (h) ~ ful of, to fill (sth., a place) with (sth.); ben ful set with, be filled with (sth.); (i) ppl. as noun: the set vnder, the poor, those of lower class; (j) in proverbs.
26.
To prepare (sth.), make ready; ben set, be ready; also, with inf.: be ready (to do sth.), be about (to do sth.).
27.
(a) With adverbs: ~ on (to, upon), to begin, get started; ~ up, begin; also, set up shop, proceed with a craft; (b) with adverbs: ~ forth, to start (sth.), set going; ~ on (upon), begin (an assault); ~ up, set up (a shop, household), commence (the practice of a craft); ~ up lome, begin to practice the weaver's trade; ~ up werre, undertake a war; (c) with inf. or gerund phrase: to begin (to do sth.), proceed; go about (doing sth.); refl. set oneself (to do sth.); also, with adv. plus inf.: ~ abouten (on, to), set about (to do sth.), undertake; (d) ~ him (the, that) on a saute, to assault him (thee, that); ~ in fight, ~ to bataille, begin a battle; ~ upon a daunce, refl. set oneself on a course of action; ~ upon thing, undertake an enterprise.
28.
(a) To determine (upon sth.), resolve; ~ ayenes, refl. set oneself against (sth.), resist; ~ togedre, make an agreement, resolve together; ~ upon pride, refl. be arrogant; ben set, be minded, be disposed; ben set at on, ben set in the same opinioun, be agreed; ben set ayenes, be opposed to (sb. or sth.), be hostile to; ben set on (abouten, in, to, upon), be determined upon (sth.), be devoted to; set unto godward, oriented toward God; orgullous set, arrogant; (b) with inf. or that clause: to resolve (to do sth.), determine (that one will do sth.); ben set, be resolved (to do sth.).
29.
(a) To regulate the movement of (the sun); adjust (a clock, a sail); (b) to amend (a fault), set aright.
30.
(a) To express (sth.) in speech or writing, declare; posit (a theory), propound; adduce (evidence); compose (sth., a work), relate; write down (a character); describe (sth. as having a certain quality) [quot.: *Chauliac(3)]; also, prophesy (sth.); ~ bok, write (a book); ~ a difference, set forth a distinction, differentiate; ~ direccioun, issue a directive, give orders; ~ english, write in English; ~ a resoun, engage in talk (with sb.); ~ his resoun (cause), expound his argument; ~ rime, set down rime, compose verse; ~ skil, expound the reason; ~ skiles ayenes, raise arguments against (sb.); ~ terme and stage, specify the precise time (when sth. occurred), declare clearly; ben) set for, of a written character, an element in a name, etc.: be) put to stand for (sth.); ivel set, ?badly penned, clumsily written; (b) with selected adverbs: ~ biforen, to state (sth.) previously (in a text); ~ forth, express (sth.) openly; ~ forth probleme (resoun), propound a riddle (an argument); ~ in, insert (sth. in a document), write (sth.) in; ~ oute, write (sth.) out, make clear; set afore, aforesaid; (c) with selected prepositions: ~ in bok (martiloge, romaunce), to set (sth.) down in a book, etc.; ~ in memorie, record (sth.) for posterity; ~ in song, celebrate (sb.) in song; ~ in writ, write (sth.) down, put (sth.) in writing; ~ o bok (gospel), ~ on bok; ~ on writ (iwrite), put (sth.) in writing; ~ under form of, present (sth.) in the form of (an argument); ~ upo writ, enroll (people) in a register; (d) ~ ensaumple (saumple), to instance an example in a written text; (e) ~ speche (wordes), to speak; also, choose (one's) words, order (one's) speech; ~ wikked word ayenes, speak maliciously against (sb.); ~ wordes in latin (on english), write in Latin (English), use the Latin (English) language; ~ wordes togeder; curious set speche, elaborately wrought speech; (f) to raise (a cry, shout, lamentation, etc.); ~ ascri in (upon), ~ cri (gred, etc.) on, raise an outcry against (sb.); ~ sorwe on hed, call down imprecations on (a beast's) head; ~ speche on-to, direct (one's) speech to (heaven), address; ~ up; (g) med. to set forth in writing; set forth (a recipe, an ingredient) in a treatise, describe (a procedure); prescribe (a medicine, remedy, etc.), advise; (h) to place (an entry, a title, etc.) in a particular place in a document, list, etc., treat (a topic) in a specific work, enter (a digit) in a particular place in a table; place (a word) in a particular place in a sentence; arrange (letters) in a particular order or pattern on fabric; ~ aside, write (a digit) to one side when performing a calculation; ~ fore-ward, write (a digit) to the right in performing a calculation; ~ in degre, list (persons) in order according to rank; ~ in kinde, list (ingredients) according to their nature; ~ in titles, set out (items) under headings; ~ mid, associate (sth.) with (sth.) in a text; ~ togeder, conjoin; also, bring together (writings) into a collection; ben set under, follow in a text; (i) to assume (sth.) for the sake of argument, suppose (that sth. is so); ~ (a) cas, put the case, suggest; ~ the hardest (werste), posit the hardest (worst) case.
31.
To allege (sth.), propose; impute (a fault, treason, etc. to sb.); lay (blame on sb.); ~ claim (querele) ayen, issue a challenge (complaint) against (sb.).
32.
(a) To pacify (a country), bring to a state of civil order; set in order (castles, territory); (b) of pain, swelling: to subside; (c) to calm down; refl. compose oneself.
33.
(a) To set (dyestuff); (b) ~ wordes, fig. to confirm (one's) words, make good a promise.
34.
(a) To be in a sitting position, be seated; occupy a seat; also, sit down, take a seat; ~ doun (up); (b) to be mounted (on a steed); also, sit (on someone's back as if astride a steed); (c) ~ abrode, of an eagle: to sit on eggs to hatch them; (d) to sit as judge; of God, Christ: sit enthroned in heaven; of the elect: have a place in heaven; (e) to be in a specified place or position; of a vein: be located (in a place in the body), lie; (f) ~ sore, to be inappropriate, ill-befit.
35.
To rent out (land, a house, etc.), put to lease; ~ oute; ~ to ferme, grant revenues from (land, etc.) in return for a fixed payment.
36.
Law (a) To cause (a parliament) to sit, convene; hold (a session of court, an inquest, etc.); also fig.; ~ areste on, arrest (sb.); -- used fig.; ~ claim, bring a legal claim; ~ sise (hal-imot, hundred, etc.); ~ a speche, bring a legal action; ben set, of a court: be in session; (b) ben set ayenes laue, to be prohibited by law, be illegal; (c) ppl. set as adj., of law: positive (as opposed to moral or natural); as noun: positive law; (d) ~ upon, to pay or settle accounts with (sb.) based on a letter of credit from (sb. else) [= writen upon].
37.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • ?a1300 *Body & S.(4) (Dgb 86)80 : Ich holde him louer and sire þa set seuene mai suale.
  • Note: 'set seuene' seems to be a phrase that the lord will destroy--per REL
    Note: Use sense 21.(b).--per REL
    Note: Quot. needed for date in sense 21.(b).
    Note: "suale" found in MED swolwen v., sense 2.(d) which has this quot.
    Note: Is the Dgb quote saying that the Lord who created the earth in seven days may destroy it? The text is problematic, and A.S.M. Clark indicates that scribal damage in transmission has occurred, with an unknown number of copyists introducing ambiguities into the text. Clark's edition does not really provide specific information about this quote.--per MLL

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • (c1386) Almanac 1386 [OD col.]60 : Bot as towchyng þe altitudes of þe son and þe houres of þe clok in oþer places fro Oxenforth toward þe meridian or atrion, how mycul howeth to be set to wythdrawen here es no certeyn rewle.
  • Note: Cp. sense 29.(r):"To regulate the movement of (the sun); adjust (a clock, a sail)."--per DM
  • (c1452) Complaint Scrope in Scrope Castle Combe279 : Item, than I obeyed his desire, and lefte my lorde of Gloucestris service, thurgh the wiche I loste his good lordechip, whereas he was set at that tyme to a put me in possession of the Ile of Man.
  • (c1452) Complaint Scrope in Scrope Castle Combe282 : But it had plesed my seyde fader to avaunced me to lifelode, or that I had sette me to maryage, I wolde have trosted to God.
  • (1466) Indent.in Scrope Castle Combe286 : In witnesses whereof the parties aforesaid have alternately sett to their seals.
  • a1500(1439) Lydg.Sts.AA (Lnsd 699)245 : Ther was oon of a statur and entaill, As fr [read: fer] as kynde coude hir craft prevaile, Bi hir favour gaff to his persone A prerogatiff to be sett alone.
  • a1500(1439) Lydg.Sts.AA (Lnsd 699)1625 : Amphibal…Gan reioish in many sondry wise That this Albon…Was goodly mevid to askyn of tho thre…Thus he seide to sett his hert in ese: 'These thre persones which ye have named her, The fadir, the sone, the holi gost these thre, Be sothfastly…oo god in Trynyte Ioyned in oon bi perfit vnite.
  • a1500(1439) Lydg.Sts.AA (Lnsd 699)1751 : To avoide hem of comfort & refuge, This saide paynym of malis list nat spar To accuse them bothe to the Iuge, Of ther metyng the maner to declare. And moreovir…The Iuge he set affir with woodnesse.
  • a1500 Lydg.Sts.AA (Petyt 511)273/103 : All these Estates remembryd in Substaunce. Ioyned in verty by perfith Charitee, Like a prince take hem in gouernaunce, And the preserue from all aduersitee, Sett pees amonge ham, and vertuous Vnitee, Like an Ymage voyde of all dyvisioun, O Prothomartir of Brutis Albioun.
  • a1500 Mirk Fest.Win.(Lnsd 392)p.cxcvii : As sche sott at home herselfe, þer com a kyngus sonne.
  • Note: Slip pulled--MJW (original editor of setten)
    Note: Looks as though sott is needed for spelling (p.sg.1 & 3).--per MLL

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1450(1438) GLeg.St.Nich.(GiL2)(Eg 876:EETS) 14/72 : He mekely praied hem that thei wold sette [F lattribuassent] it all to the gret merci of God and thaire bileue and not to his merites.
  • c1450(1438) GLeg.Assump.Virgin (GiL112) (Eg 876) 566/94 : It is sayde in the forsaide boke that is set to Seinte Iohn in what wyse the ob[s]eques of the blessed Virgine Marie were halowed.
  • c1450(1438) GLeg.Luke (GiL149) (Eg 876) 765/26 : Eche of hem had .iiij. faces, in discriving..of the humanite, of the passion, of the resurreccion and of the diui[ni]te of Godhede, notwithstonding that these singuler thinges be singuleri sette to eueriche of hem.
  • Note: New sense: 'attribute'.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1500 Rwl.C.506 Artist.Recipes (Rwl C.506) 182/5 : Cloþe þat mut be sett and ysteynyd with oyle colourys with molde mut fyrst be ywett in cole and aftyr ydryyd wele and þan iwrowgt.
  • a1500 Rwl.C.506 Artist.Recipes (Rwl C.506) 166/15 : If þu wylt make lynne cloþe ȝelowe, take white lynne cloþe and put it ynto þe panne for it be þoru wete..and if þu wylt sett þeron it must be..dride.
  • Note: Glossary: "set(t v. inf. ~ on 'print with, or similarly apply, opaque oil colour'."
    Note: Additional quotes, sense 11.(a).

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1500 Rwl.C.506 Artist.Recipes (Rwl C.506) 177/28 : To make settyng blewe, take florey and worche it with blankplum, þe more blanke plum þe leyter blewe, and þe lasse þe depper.
  • Note: Glossary = 'opaque, thick (of a paint, especially used to indicate oil paint)'. Refers to colors (paints) suitable for block printing or painting on cloth. See sense 11.(a).