Set about

//sɛt‿əˈbaʊt// verb, slang

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    Used with the adverb sense of about.
  2. 2
    take the first step or steps in carrying out an action wordnet
  3. 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. 4
    enter upon an activity or enterprise wordnet
  5. 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."

Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    begin to deal with wordnet
  2. 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, […]"

  3. 8
    Used with the preposition sense of about.; To attack (someone); to set upon. UK, informal, transitive

    "Two youths set about him."

  4. 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).

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