stet

[stet]

verb (used without object), stet·ted, stet·ting.

let it stand (used imperatively as a direction on a printer's proof, manuscript, or the like, to retain material previously cancelled, usually accompanied by a row of dots under or beside the material).

verb (used with object), stet·ted, stet·ting.

to mark (a manuscript, printer's proof, etc.) with the word “stet” or with dots as a direction to let cancelled material remain.

Origin of stet

1815–25; < Latin stēt, present subjunctive 3rd person singular of stāre to stand

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for stet

Historical Examples of stet

Good as a play, declared Stet, as Frank went through the rigmarole.
Bound to Succeed
Allen Chapman
Stet disappeared the way he had come in a high state of elation.
Bound to Succeed
Allen Chapman
Its from Stet, said Frank, glancing at the enclosure, which interested him very much.
Bound to Succeed
Allen Chapman
Dale Wacker has been using them ever since he started in business, explained Stet.
Bound to Succeed
Allen Chapman
Frank was surprised that Stet should mention the very place he had most in his mind.
Bound to Succeed
Allen Chapman

British Dictionary definitions for stet

stet

noun

a word or mark indicating that certain deleted typeset or written matter is to be retainedCompare dele

verb stets, stetting or stetted

(tr) to mark (matter to be retained) with a stet

Word Origin for stet

Latin, literally: let it stand

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

Word Origin and History for stet

direction to printer to disregard correction made to text, 1755, from Latin stet "let it stand," third person singular present subjunctive of stare "to stand, stand upright, be stiff," from PIE root *sta- "to stand, set down, make or be firm," with derivatives meaning "place or thing that is standing" (cf. Sanskrit tisthati "stands;" Avestan histaiti "to stand;" Persian -stan "country," literally "where one stands;" Greek histemi "put, place, cause to stand; weigh," stasis "a standing still," statos "placed," stater "a weight, coin," stylos "pillar;" Latin sistere "stand still, stop, make stand, place, produce in court," status "manner, position, condition, attitude," stare "to stand," statio "station, post;" Lithuanian stojus "place myself," statau "place;" Old Church Slavonic staja "place myself," stanu "position," staru "old," literally "long-standing;" Gothic standan, Old English standan "to stand," stede "place," steall "place where cattle are kept;" Old Norse steði "anvil," stallr "pedestal for idols, altar;" German Stall "stable;" Old Irish sessam "the act of standing"). Also see related words under assist.