set about

present singular third person sets about · participle present setting about · archaic present second person singular settest about · archaic past second person singular settest about · present singular third person sets about · archaic present singular third person setteth about · participle present setting about

1. Used with the adverb sense of about.
   1. transitivearchaic except chiefly Northern EnglandTo circulate or spread (news, a rumour, etc.)

      For ſome vveeks before it [Parliament] met there vvas ſuch a number of Refugees coming over every day, vvho ſet about a moſt diſmal recital of the perſecution in France, and that in ſo many inſtances that vvere crying and odious, […]

      a. 1716 (date written), [Gilbert] Burnet, “Book IV. Of the Reign of King James II.”, in [Gilbert Burnet Jr.], editor, Bishop Burnet’s History of His Own Time. […], volume I, London: […] Thomas Ward […], published 1724, →OCLC, page 663

2. Used with the preposition sense of about.
   1. archaictransitiveTo plant trees or other vegetation in (a place).

      [I]ndeede the whole island is a mount ascended by several terraces and walks all set about with orange and citron trees.

      1646 March, John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for March 1646]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC, page 218

   2. archaictransitivepassive voiceTo encircle or surround (something) with other things.

      Ascending the hill we came to St. Sabina, an ancient fabric, formerly sacred to Diana; there in a Chapel is an admirable picture, the work of Livia Fontana, set about with columns of alabaster, […]

      1645 February 24 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 15 February 1645]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC, page 152

   3. UKinformaltransitiveTo attack (someone); to set upon.

      Two youths set about him.

      Synonyms: begin upon

   4. intransitiveTo start doing or to devote oneself to some task; to set upon.

      She set about the task with a will.

      5 more examples

      He set about designing his homepage.

      He [the Devil] ſetteth (I ſay) ſome to ſeeke the pleaſures of the fleſhe, in eating, drinking, & other filthye delite. And ſome he ſetteth about inceſſant ſeking for theſe worldly goodes.

      1534 (date written; published 1553), Thomas More, “A Dyalogue of Comforte agaynste Tribulacyon, […]. Of the Deuill Named Negotium Perambulans in Tenebris, that is to Wit, Busines Walking in the Darkenesses.”, in Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], editor, The Workes of Sir Thomas More Knyght, […], London: […] Iohn Cawod, Iohn Waly, and Richarde Tottell, published 30 April 1557, →OCLC, book II, page 1202, column 2

      Be not ſloathful in buſineſs, ſet to vvhatever thou ſetteſt about; Do vvhat thou doſt in as little time as thou canſt, and vvith all thy might, vvhat thy hand finds to do.

      a. 1660 (date written), [Francis Osborne?], “Cent[ury] I”, in The Advice of a Father: Or, Counsel to a Child. […], London: […] J. R. [John Royston?] for Brabazon Aylmer, […], published 1688, →OCLC, section V, page 3

      To yᵉ Commissʳˢ of the Navy, who having seene the project of the Infirmary, encourag'd the work, and were very earnest it should be set about immediately; […]

      1666 March 1 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 20 February 1666]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC, page 384

      I look on the perfecting of this vvork, and the carrying it on thro' the remaining part of my life, as the greateſt ſervice I can do to God and to the vvorld; and therefore I ſet about it vvith great care and caution.

      a. 1716 (date written), [Gilbert] Burnet, “The Preface”, in [Gilbert Burnet Jr.], editor, Bishop Burnet’s History of His Own Time. […], volume I, London: […] Thomas Ward […], published 1724, →OCLC, page 3

      Synonyms: begin upon, undertake, embark on, set to, take in hand