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• seton
  seton

  noun

  a thread or the like inserted beneath the skin to provide drainage or to guide subsequent passage of a tube.
• Seton
  Seton

  noun

  Saint Elizabeth Ann (Bayley) Mother Seton, 1774–1821, U.S. educator, social-welfare reformer, and religious leader: first native-born American to be canonized (1975).

seton

¹ American  

[seet-n] / ˈsit n /

noun

Surgery.

1. a thread or the like inserted beneath the skin to provide drainage or to guide subsequent passage of a tube.

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Seton ² American  

[seet-n] / ˈsit n /

noun

1. Saint Elizabeth Ann (Bayley) Mother Seton, 1774–1821, U.S. educator, social-welfare reformer, and religious leader: first native-born American to be canonized (1975).

2. Ernest Thompson, 1860–1946, English writer and illustrator in the U.S.

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Seton British  

/ ˈsiːtən /

noun

1. Ernest Thompson. 1860–1946, US author and illustrator of animal books, born in England

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Etymology

Origin of seton

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin sētōn- (stem of sētō ), equivalent to sēt ( a ) seta + -ōn- noun suffix

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

seton Seton

The ordinary use of a seton is to keep up constant drainage from a cavity containing matter or to act as a stimulant or counterirritant.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

A seton of black hellebore root may be of service.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by George Dadd

These may be either long or short, straight or curved, according to the locality in which a seton is to be inserted.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

The seton should consist of a piece of strong tape, varying in breadth according to circumstances, and should be kept in place either by a knot on each end or by tying the ends together.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

On these accounts, a seton passing through the base of the ulcer in poll-evil and fistulous withers is so beneficial.

From Domestic Animals History and description of the horse, mule, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry and farm dogs; with directions for their management, breeding, crossing, rearing, feeding, and preparation for a profitable market; also their diseases and remedies. Together with full directions for the management of the dairy. by Richard L. Allen

A spokesperson for the Ascension Seton hospitals said in a statement, “When a patient experiences a serious or life-threatening condition during pregnancy, our clinicians provide medically indicated treatment, including treatment for an ectopic pregnancy.”

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

He chose the program over traditional acceptances, some with scholarships and honors, including at the University of South Carolina, Seton Hall and University of Tennessee.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 11, 2026

As the unfiltered Linda, Ms. Gangel might almost have been cast for her Hepburnesque, chisel-sharp cheekbones, but she brings wry humor to Linda’s half-serious, or mostly serious, critiques of the Seton ethos.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 19, 2026

Attorneys from the ACLU, Seton Hall University and the Center for Constitutional Rights are representing the families in Massachusetts federal district court.

From Salon ● Jan. 27, 2026

In case you don't live in New York, the Wicker Bar is in this sort of swanky hotel, the Seton Hotel.

From "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger

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