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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.

Search results for 'sit':

sit verb (sat, sitting) 1 intrans to rest the body on the buttocks, with the upper body more or less vertical. 2 said of an animal: to position itself on its hindquarters in a similar manner. 3 intrans said of a bird: to perch or lie. 4 intrans said of a bird: to brood. 5 intrans said of an object: to lie, rest or hang • There are a few cups sitting on the shelfThe jacket sits nicely round your shoulders. 6 intrans to lie unused • I've got all my tools sitting in the shed. 7 intrans to hold a meeting or other session • The court sits tomorrow. 8 intrans to be a member, taking regular part in meetings • sit on a committee. 9 to have a seat, as in parliament. 10 to reside or inhabit. 11 to be a tenant. 12 to have a specific position • The TV sits on this stand. 13 to be located or situated • The TV sits in the corner. 14 said of the wind: to have a direction • The wind sits south. 15 to take (an examination); to be a candidate for (a degree or other award) • I'm sitting my first exam tomorrow. 16 to conduct to a seat; to assign a seat to someone • They sat me next to him. 17 intrans to be or exist in a specified comparison or relation • His smoking sits awkwardly with his being a doctor. 18 intrans to pose as an artist's or photographer's model. be sitting pretty colloq to be in a very advantageous position. sit on the fence see under fence. sit tight 1 to maintain one's position and opinion determinedly. 2 to wait patiently.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon sittan.

sit back 1 to sit comfortably, especially with the head and back rested. 2 to observe rather than take an active part, especially when action is needed • He's just happy to sit back and let everyone else make the effort.

sit down or sit someone down to take, or make them take, a sitting position.

sit down under something to submit meekly to (an insult, etc).

sit in on something to be present at it as a visitor or observer, especially without participating.

sit in for someone to act as a substitute for them.

sit on someone colloq to force them to say or do nothing; to repress them.

sit on something 1 to be a member of it • I sit on the committee for the sports centre. 2 colloq to delay taking action over it. 3 colloq to keep it secret; to suppress it.

sit something out 1 to stay until the end of it. 2 to take no part, especially in a dance or game.

sit up 1 to move oneself from a slouching or lying position into an upright sitting position. 2 to remain out of bed longer than usual • I sat up late writing my essay. 3 to take notice suddenly or show a sudden interest.

sit verb (sat, sitting) 1 intrans to rest the body on the buttocks, with the upper body more or less vertical. 2 said of an animal: to position itself on its hindquarters in a similar manner. 3 intrans said of a bird: to perch or lie. 4 intrans said of a bird: to brood. 5 intrans said of an object: to lie, rest or hang • There are a few cups sitting on the shelfThe jacket sits nicely round your shoulders. 6 intrans to lie unused • I've got all my tools sitting in the shed. 7 intrans to hold a meeting or other session • The court sits tomorrow. 8 intrans to be a member, taking regular part in meetings • sit on a committee. 9 to have a seat, as in parliament. 10 to reside or inhabit. 11 to be a tenant. 12 to have a specific position • The TV sits on this stand. 13 to be located or situated • The TV sits in the corner. 14 said of the wind: to have a direction • The wind sits south. 15 to take (an examination); to be a candidate for (a degree or other award) • I'm sitting my first exam tomorrow. 16 to conduct to a seat; to assign a seat to someone • They sat me next to him. 17 intrans to be or exist in a specified comparison or relation • His smoking sits awkwardly with his being a doctor. 18 intrans to pose as an artist's or photographer's model. be sitting pretty colloq to be in a very advantageous position. sit on the fence see under fence. sit tight 1 to maintain one's position and opinion determinedly. 2 to wait patiently.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon sittan.

sit back 1 to sit comfortably, especially with the head and back rested. 2 to observe rather than take an active part, especially when action is needed • He's just happy to sit back and let everyone else make the effort.

sit down or sit someone down to take, or make them take, a sitting position.

sit down under something to submit meekly to (an insult, etc).

sit in on something to be present at it as a visitor or observer, especially without participating.

sit in for someone to act as a substitute for them.

sit on someone colloq to force them to say or do nothing; to repress them.

sit on something 1 to be a member of it • I sit on the committee for the sports centre. 2 colloq to delay taking action over it. 3 colloq to keep it secret; to suppress it.

sit something out 1 to stay until the end of it. 2 to take no part, especially in a dance or game.

sit up 1 to move oneself from a slouching or lying position into an upright sitting position. 2 to remain out of bed longer than usual • I sat up late writing my essay. 3 to take notice suddenly or show a sudden interest.

sit verb (sat, sitting) 1 intrans to rest the body on the buttocks, with the upper body more or less vertical. 2 said of an animal: to position itself on its hindquarters in a similar manner. 3 intrans said of a bird: to perch or lie. 4 intrans said of a bird: to brood. 5 intrans said of an object: to lie, rest or hang • There are a few cups sitting on the shelfThe jacket sits nicely round your shoulders. 6 intrans to lie unused • I've got all my tools sitting in the shed. 7 intrans to hold a meeting or other session • The court sits tomorrow. 8 intrans to be a member, taking regular part in meetings • sit on a committee. 9 to have a seat, as in parliament. 10 to reside or inhabit. 11 to be a tenant. 12 to have a specific position • The TV sits on this stand. 13 to be located or situated • The TV sits in the corner. 14 said of the wind: to have a direction • The wind sits south. 15 to take (an examination); to be a candidate for (a degree or other award) • I'm sitting my first exam tomorrow. 16 to conduct to a seat; to assign a seat to someone • They sat me next to him. 17 intrans to be or exist in a specified comparison or relation • His smoking sits awkwardly with his being a doctor. 18 intrans to pose as an artist's or photographer's model. be sitting pretty colloq to be in a very advantageous position. sit on the fence see under fence. sit tight 1 to maintain one's position and opinion determinedly. 2 to wait patiently.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon sittan.

sit back 1 to sit comfortably, especially with the head and back rested. 2 to observe rather than take an active part, especially when action is needed • He's just happy to sit back and let everyone else make the effort.

sit down or sit someone down to take, or make them take, a sitting position.

sit down under something to submit meekly to (an insult, etc).

sit in on something to be present at it as a visitor or observer, especially without participating.

sit in for someone to act as a substitute for them.

sit on someone colloq to force them to say or do nothing; to repress them.

sit on something 1 to be a member of it • I sit on the committee for the sports centre. 2 colloq to delay taking action over it. 3 colloq to keep it secret; to suppress it.

sit something out 1 to stay until the end of it. 2 to take no part, especially in a dance or game.

sit up 1 to move oneself from a slouching or lying position into an upright sitting position. 2 to remain out of bed longer than usual • I sat up late writing my essay. 3 to take notice suddenly or show a sudden interest.