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Set about
//sɛt‿əˈbaʊt// verb, slang
Definitions
Verb
- 1 Used with the adverb sense of about.
- 2 take the first step or steps in carrying out an action wordnet
- 3 Used with the adverb sense of about.; To circulate or spread (news, a rumour, etc.) transitive
"For ſome vveeks before it [Parliament] met there vvas ſuch a number of Refugees coming over every day, vvho ſet about a moſt diſmal recital of the perſecution in France, and that in ſo many inſtances that vvere crying and odious, […]"
- 4 enter upon an activity or enterprise wordnet
- 5 Used with the preposition sense of about.; To plant trees or other vegetation in (a place). archaic, transitive
"[I]ndeede the whole island is a mount ascended by several terraces and walks all set about with orange and citron trees."
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- 6 begin to deal with wordnet
- 7 Used with the preposition sense of about.; To encircle or surround (something) with other things. archaic, transitive
"Ascending the hill we came to St. Sabina, an ancient fabric, formerly sacred to Diana; there in a Chapel is an admirable picture, the work of Livia Fontana, set about with columns of alabaster, […]"
- 8 Used with the preposition sense of about.; To attack (someone); to set upon. UK, informal, transitive
"Two youths set about him."
- 9 Used with the preposition sense of about.; To start doing or to devote oneself to some task; to set upon. intransitive
"He set about designing his homepage."
Etymology
From set (verb) + about (adverb, preposition).
See also for "set about"
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