- set (v.)
- O.E. settan "cause to sit, put in some place, fix firmly," from P.Gmc. *satjanan (cf. O.N. setja, O.Fris. setta, Du. zetten, Ger. setzen), causative form of P.Gmc. root *set- (cf. O.E. sittan "to sit," see sit). Confused with sit since early 14c. Of the sun, moon, etc., "to go down," recorded from c.1300. Set-to "bout, fight" is 1743, originally pugilistic slang. Setup "arrangement" is from 1890. Setback (n.) is from 1674; to set (someone) back "cost" is from 1900.
- set (adj.)
- "fixed," from M.E. sett, prop. pp. of setten "to set" (see set (v.)). Meaning "ready, prepared" first recorded 1844.
- set (n.)
- "collection of things," mid-15c., from O.Fr. sette "sequence," variant of secte, from M.L. secta "retinue," from L. secta "a following" (see sect). The word had been earlier used in Eng. in the sense of "religious sect" (late 14c.), which likely is the direct source of some meanings, e.g. "group of persons with shared status, habits, etc." (1680s). Sense of "burrow of a badger" is attested from 1898. That of "scenery for an individual scene in a play, etc." is recorded from 1859. Meaning "group of pieces musicians perform at a club during 45 minutes (more or less) is from c.1925, though it is found in a similar sense in 1580s.