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set·ting

(sĕtĭng)

1. The position, direction, or way in which something, such as an automatic control, is set.

a. The context and environment in which a situation is set; the background.

b. The time, place, and circumstances in which a narrative, drama, or film takes place.

3. Music A composition written or arranged to fit a text, such as a poetical work.

4. A mounting, as for a jewel.

5. A place setting.

6. A set of eggs in a hen's nest.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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