set about
verb
- start to do
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /sɛt‿əˈbaʊt/
verb
Etymology: From set (verb) + about (adverb, preposition).
- Used with the adverb sense of about.
- Used with the adverb sense of about.
“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, […]”
- Used with the preposition sense of about.
“[I]ndeede the whole island is a mount ascended by several terraces and walks all set about with orange and citron trees.”
- Used with the preposition sense of about.
“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, […]”
- Used with the preposition sense of about.
“Two youths set about him.”
- Used with the preposition sense of about.
“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.”