sɪt v. & n. --v. (sitting;
past and past
part. sat) 1 intr.
adopt or be in a
position in
which the body is supported
more or
less upright by the buttocks resting on the ground or a raised
seat etc.,
with the thighs usu.
horizontal. 2 tr.
cause to sit;
place in a
sitting position. 3 intr. a (of a bird) perch. b (of an animal) rest with the hind legs bent and the body close to the ground. 4 intr. (of a bird)
remain on
its nest to hatch its eggs. 5 intr. a be
engaged in an
occupation in which the sitting position is
usual. b (of a
committee,
legislative body, etc.) be engaged in
business. c (of an individual) be entitled to hold
some office or position (sat as a magistrate). 6 intr. (usu. foll. by for) pose in a sitting position (for a portrait). 7 intr. (foll. by for) be a
Member of
Parliament for (a constituency). 8 tr. & (foll. by for) intr.
Brit. be a
candidate for (an examination). 9 intr. be in a more or less
permanent position or
condition (esp. of inactivity or
being out of
use or out of place). 10 intr. (of
clothes etc.) fit or
hang in a
certain way. 11 tr.
keep or
have one's seat on (a
horse etc.). 12 intr.
act as a babysitter. 13 intr. (often foll. by before) (of an army)
take a position
outside a
city etc. to
besiege it. --n. the way a
dress etc. sits on a
person. øbe sitting
pretty be comfortably or advantageously placed.
make a person sit up colloq.
surprise or
interest a person. sit at a person's
feet be a person's pupil. sit at
home be
inactive. sit
back relax one's efforts. sit by
look on
without interfering. sit down 1 sit
after standing. 2 cause to sit. 3 (foll. by under)
submit tamely to (an
insult etc.). sit-down adj. (of a meal) eaten sitting at a
table. sit-down
strike a strike in which workers refuse to leave
their place of
work. sit
heavy on the
stomach take a long
time to be digested. sit in 1
occupy a place as a
protest. 2 (foll. by for) take the place
of. 3 (foll. by on) be present as a
guest or
observer at (a
meeting etc.). sit-in n. a protest involving sitting
in. sit in
judgement assume the
right of judging others; be
censorious. sit loosely on
not be
very binding. sit on 1 be a member of (a committee etc.). 2 hold a
session or
inquiry concerning. 3 colloq.
delay action about (the
government has been sitting on the report). 4 colloq.
repress or
rebuke or
snub (felt
rather sat on). sit on the
fence see FENCE. sit on one's hands 1 take no action. 2 refuse to
applaud. sit out 1 take no part in (a
dance etc.). 2 stay till the
end of (esp. an ordeal). 3 sit
outdoors. 4
outstay (other visitors). sit
tight colloq. 1 remain firmly in one's place. 2 not be
shaken off or
move away or
yield to distractions. sit up 1
rise from a lying to a sitting position. 2 sit firmly upright. 3 go to
bed later
than the usual time. 4 colloq.
become interested or aroused etc. sit-up n. a
physical exercise in which a person sits up without raising the legs from the ground. sit up and take
notice colloq. have one's interest aroused,
esp. suddenly. sit-upon colloq. the buttocks. sit well have a
good seat in riding. sit well on
suit or fit. [OE sittan f. Gmc]