To set about

To set about
About A*bout", adv. 1. On all sides; around. [1913 Webster]

'Tis time to look about. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across. [1913 Webster]

3. Here and there; around; in one place and another. [1913 Webster]

Wandering about from house to house. --1 Tim. v. 13. [1913 Webster]

4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; -- also of quantity, number, time. ``There fell . . . about three thousand men.'' --Exod. xxii. 28. [1913 Webster]

5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about. [1913 Webster]

{To bring about}, to cause to take place; to accomplish.

{To come about}, to occur; to take place. See under {Come}.

{To go about}, {To set about}, to undertake; to arrange; to prepare. ``Shall we set about some revels?'' --Shak.

{Round about}, in every direction around. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • set about something — set about (something/doing something) to begin to do or deal with something. Beall has set about the delicate task of getting the companies to work together. After putting up the tent, she set about making a fire. I bought a computer, got a book… …   New idioms dictionary

  • set about doing something — set about (something/doing something) to begin to do or deal with something. Beall has set about the delicate task of getting the companies to work together. After putting up the tent, she set about making a fire. I bought a computer, got a book… …   New idioms dictionary

  • set about — (something/doing something) to begin to do or deal with something. Beall has set about the delicate task of getting the companies to work together. After putting up the tent, she set about making a fire. I bought a computer, got a book of… …   New idioms dictionary

  • set about something — ˈset about sth | ˌset about ˈdoing sth derived no passive to start doing sth • She set about the business of cleaning the house. • We need to set about finding a solution. Main entry: ↑setderived …   Useful english dictionary

  • set about doing something — ˈset about sth | ˌset about ˈdoing sth derived no passive to start doing sth • She set about the business of cleaning the house. • We need to set about finding a solution. Main entry: ↑setderived …   Useful english dictionary

  • set about — ► set about 1) start doing something with vigour or determination. 2) Brit. informal attack. Main Entry: ↑set …   English terms dictionary

  • set about — index assume (undertake), endeavor, occupy (engage), undertake Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • set about somebody — ˈset about sb derived (BrE, old fashioned, informal) to attack sb Main entry: ↑setderived …   Useful english dictionary

  • set about — verb 1. begin to deal with (Freq. 3) approach a task go about a difficult problem approach a new project • Syn: ↑go about, ↑approach • Derivationally related forms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • set about — phrasal verb [transitive] Word forms set about : present tense I/you/we/they set about he/she/it sets about present participle setting about past tense set about past participle set about set about something to begin doing something, especially… …   English dictionary

  • set about — v. 1) (E) ( to begin ) he set about to undo the damage that he had caused 2) (G) ( to begin ) we set about working on the project * * * [ setə baʊt] (E) ( to begin ) he set about to undo the damage that he had caused (G) ( to begin ) we set about …   Combinatory dictionary

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