set piece

American  

[set pees] / ˈsɛt ˌpis /

noun

1. Theater. a piece of scenery used as part of a stage set, as a profile or three-dimensional construction built to stand independently on the stage floor.

   A few set pieces simulating rocks and a fence constituted the scenery for the first act.

2. a work of art, literature, music, etc., having a prescribed thematic and formal structure.

   the set pieces of Restoration comedy.

3. a scene, action, or the like, having a conventional form and functioning as part of the structure of a work of art, literature, etc.

4. a military operation carried out according to a rigid plan.

5. Also called set play.  Sports. a coordinated maneuver with team players in a preplanned formation when the ball re-enters active play, as a corner kick in soccer.

   The team’s dedicated practice time for set pieces paid off in their penalty kick results this year.

6. (in a novel, narrative poem, or the like) a passage more or less extraneous to the sequence of events, introduced to supply background, color, or the like.

7. an arrangement of slow-burning fireworks forming a design or composition when lighted.

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set piece British  

noun

1. a work of literature, music, etc, often having a conventional or prescribed theme, intended to create an impressive effect

2. a piece of scenery built to stand independently as part of a stage set

3. a display of fireworks

4. sport a rehearsed team manoeuvre, usually attempted in continuous games at a restart of play, esp when the other side has been penalized for improper play

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Etymology

Origin of set piece

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

“Something we emphasized heading into the season is how are we going to defend the box and set pieces,” Larkins said.

From Los Angeles Times

Park stages Man-su’s homicide attempts as slapstick set pieces in which our clumsy antihero himself barely gets out alive.

From Los Angeles Times

Gameplay trailers have shown some similarities to the developer's successful Hitman franchise as well as showcasing the gadgets and cinematic set pieces that fans have come to expect from Bond.

From BBC

Remarkably, eight of the last nine goals Crystal Palace have conceded in all competitions have come from set piece situations - including each of the last seven.

From BBC

The 39-year-old admits it has been a "steep learning curve" as he swaps out the set pieces for the stethoscope in his new role at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

From BBC

Related Words

• scenery
• tableau