sett

Pluralsetts

1. 1
   nouncountable

   The underground network of tunnels and chambers where a badger lives.

   Like an underground home with many rooms and tunnels joined together.

   The badgers dug a deep sett under the hedge.

   We found three setts scattered through the woods last spring.

   Similarburrow, den, earth

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A small block of stone with flat sides, used to pave roads and paths.

   Like a small stone brick used to build a road.

   Workers laid granite setts across the old market square.

   Each sett was hammered firmly into the sand below.

   Similarcobble, cobblestone, paver

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   The repeating pattern of colored stripes and threads that gives a Scottish tartan its design.

   Like a recipe that tells you which colors go in what order so the pattern always looks the same.

   Each clan has its own sett woven into its tartan.

   The weaver copied the sett from an old family blanket.

   Similarpattern

   Note
4. 4
   nouncountable

   The number of lengthwise threads in each inch of woven cloth.

   Like counting how many strings fit side by side in one inch.

   A higher sett makes the cloth feel tight and firm.

   The weaver checked the sett before starting the loom.

   Similarsley

   Note
5. 5
   nounEnglandcountable

   The number of slots in a loom's reed for each inch: half the number of lengthwise threads.

   Like counting the gaps in a comb that the threads pass through.

   The loom's sett was twenty splits to the inch.

   She set the reed to match the sett the pattern required.

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable

   A mine, or group of mines, that someone rents in order to work.

   Like renting a piece of land, except the land is a mine you dig in.

   The company took on a new sett in the hills.

   Two families worked the same sett for years.

   Note
7. 7
   nouncountable

   A group of pumps working together to drain water from a mine.

   Like several water pumps lined up to empty a flooded basement.

   The sett kept the lower tunnels free of water.

   Engineers repaired the sett after the flood.

   Note

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