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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Set(t, Sat, n. [e.m.E. and ME sette (Trevisa), sett (1538), set (1611), OF sette; Sect(e n., specif. sense 1, in later senses chiefly f. Set v. Cf. also MLG gesette a set or suite (of pieces), Germ. gesetz, Dan. sæt a set of china, etc.]

1. A sect. = Sect(e n. 3. Transliteration by Nisbet of secte (Wyclif, Purvey), or editorial misreading of -ct- as -tt-. (Cf. however Nisbet quot. s.v. Sect(e n. 3.) c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts xxiv 14.
Efter the sett quhilk thai say herresie, sa I serue to God c1520-c1535 Nisbet 2 Peter ii 1.
Fals prophetis … that sal bring in settis of perditioun c1520-c1535 Nisbet 2 Peter ii 10.
And dredis nocht to bring in settis

2. A number or group of persons associated in some way, chiefly, depreciatory. 1685 Hay Fleming Six Saints I 92.
A sett of wicked men … will take part with them 1703 Cromartie Corr. I 194.
Iff the present sett off men, who are now magistrats in Glasgow, sall not be turned out … no honest episcopall person needs think off living in that place

3. A number or collection of things used in association with each other. b. specif. Ane set of vialons, a sat of phialonis, see Phialon n. 1686 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 184.
Yearly feu dutie of five merks Scottis money or ane sett of clubs [sc. golf clubs] 1701 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 9.
A sett of new coch whiles