setter

[ set-er ]

/ ˈsɛt ər /

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noun

a person or thing that sets.

one of any of several breeds of hunting dogs that originally had the habit of crouching when game was scented but that are now trained to stand stiffly and point the muzzle toward the scented game.Compare English setter, Gordon setter, Irish setter.

Volleyball. a player who lofts the ball high for a teammate near the net to spike.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of setter

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at set, -er¹

Words nearby setter

set straight, sett, Settat, settecentesque, settee, setter, set theory, set the pace, set the record straight, set the scene for, set the table

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use setter in a sentence

They simply need to be seen as the only legitimate opposition, in a country where they are now considered the political counterweight, and as such, the agenda setters.
How the Far Right Already Won in France|Myriam Francois|April 23, 2022|Time
Drowsy jet setters can tune out crying babies, noisy engines, and more.
If you’re dreaming of the best headphones for sleeping, here they are|Carsen Joenk|October 7, 2021|Popular-Science
If it’s less than 1, the epidemic is shrinking, and policy setters might consider lifting some restrictions.
Chasing the Elusive Numbers That Define Epidemics|Jordana Cepelewicz|March 22, 2021|Quanta Magazine
Of course, they’ll have to replace the items when they run out, but this kit, which comes with a stylish travel bag, will give frequent jet setters a good start.
The best gifts for travelers you care about|PopSci Commerce Team|February 24, 2021|Popular-Science

Chancellor Angela Merkel has been one of Germany’s most influential leaders and a standard setter for Europe for 16 years.
Angela Merkel's CDU Party Is Choosing a New Leader. Whoever Wins Might Become Germany's Next Chancellor|Madeline Roache|January 14, 2021|Time
Partly because Ben was as naturally and effortlessly impeccable as Astaire or Cary Grant, or any other mythic style-setter.
Ben Bradlee Was the Last of the Newspaper Giants|Tom Shales|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yedioth won out: Maariv kept its position as an important agenda-setter, but began losing money.
Wither The Israeli Press?|Noam Sheizaf|October 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The only category that fell into the middle class was that of “multiple tool setter.”
You Aced It, Michelle Obama|Mansfield Frazier|September 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It is not as if the fire-setter woke up and said, ‘Today will be the day to light up carports.’
What’s Driving L.A. Serial Arsonist to Set Fires?|Christine Pelisek|January 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So Regis Brugiere stole Jim, the black-and-white setter, and concealed him well.
Blazed Trail Stories|Stewart Edward White
Thus was the way of justice fulfilled in the case of Regis Brugiere and the setter-dog Jim.
Blazed Trail Stories|Stewart Edward White
Like a setter in the make of him, but no setter that ever I saw could match him for size or looks.
Fifty-Two Stories For Girls|Various
Upon reaching a gate that opened into his meadow, he looked about and whistled for the dog, but the setter was gone.
An Arkansas Planter|Opie Percival Read
He wrote again go Hall, urging him to sell some of his type-setter royalties.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete|Albert Bigelow Paine

British Dictionary definitions for setter

setter

/ (ˈsɛtə) /

noun

any of various breeds of large gun dog, having silky coats and plumed tailsSee English setter, Gordon setter, Irish setter

Word Origin for setter

C16: so called because they can be used to indicate where game is: see set 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012