2. (American tramps').—See quot.
1900. Flynt, Tramps, 105. He will almost always give a beggar a set-down (square meal).
Set-off, subs. phr. (colloquial).—1.
A contrast; an alternative; a
QUID PRO QUO (q.v.)
1749. Smollett, Gil Blas [Routledge], 151. As a set-off against his hen-pecked cowardice . . . he gave me fifty ducats. Ibid., 249. You will not have much spare room . . . but as a set-off I promise that you shall be superbly lodged at Lisbon.
1844. Mill, Polit. Econ., 111. xii. 6. If the cheque is paid into a different bank, it will not be presented for payment, but liquidated by set-off against other cheques.
d. 1868. Brougham [Century]. A poor set-off against constant outrages.
1879. Froude, Cæsar, 454. He pleaded his desertion of Pompey as a set-off against his faults.
2. (colloquial).—An adornment; an ornament.
1619. Fletcher, Wildgoose Chase, iii. 1. This coarse creature That has no more set-off but his jugglings, His travell'd tricks.
SET-OUT, subs. phr. (colloquial).—A
company, clique, display, or
turn-out—any arrangement, state
of things, or event.
1816. Austen, Emma, xlii. 'There shall be cold meat in the house.' 'As you please; only don't have a great set-out.'
1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab., 11. 46. The whole set-out . . . pony included, Cost £50 when new.
1837. Dickens, Pickwick (1857), 11. "P.C.," said the stranger,—"queer set out—old fellow's likeness, and P.C.—What does P.C. stand for—Peculiar coat, eh?" Ibid. (1854), Hard Times, i. 8. She must just hate and detest the whole set-out of us.
1856. Whyte Melville, Kate Coventry, iv. As we pulled up in front of the Castle Hotel . . . "Ere's a spicy set-out, Bill," said one.
Setta, adj. (theatrical).—Seven.
Also Setter.
1893. Emerson, Lippo, xiv. Then he placed a large piece of boiled bacon and a dish of potatoes and a dish of greens before three road scavengers, and said, "I'll take setta soldi from you gents."
Setter, subs. (old).—1. See quots.;
also (modern) a police spy: see
Nark (Grose).
1591. Greene, Notable Discovery [Works, x. 15]. The nature of the Setter, is to draw any person familiarly to drinke with him, which person they call the bonie.
1598. Shakspeare, 1 Hen. IV., ii. 2, 53. 'Tis our setter: I know his voice.
1607. Dekker, Jests to make you Merie [Wks. (Grosart), 11. 310]. Your theeues trauelling mort is partly a setter of robberies, partly a theefe herselfe.
1680. Cotton, Complete Gamester, 333. Shoals of huffs, hectors, setters, gilts, pads, biters, &c., may all pass under the general appellation of rooks.
c. 1696. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Setters, or Setting-dogs, they that draw in Bubbles, for old Gamesters to Rook; also a Sergeant's Yeoman, or Bailiff's Follower, or Second, and an Excize-Officer to prevent the Brewers defrauding the King.
1714. Memoirs of John Hall (4th ed.), 7. There are also Setters of both Sexes, that make it their Business to go about upon Information, to pry into the Disposition and Avenues of Houses, and bring notice of the Booty.
d. 1745. Swift, Last Speech Eben. Elliston. We had setters watching in corners, and by dead walls.
1754. B. Martin, Eng. Dict. (2nd ed.), s.v. Setter . . . (3) an associate of sharpers to get them bubbles.
1866. Lemon, Leyton Hall. Old Crookfinger, the most notorious setter, barnacle, and foist in the city.
2. (auctioneers').—A runner-up of prices; a bonnet (q.v.).
Clock-setter, subs. phr. (nautical).—1. One who tampers with the clock to shorten his watch; also (2) a busy-body, a SEA-LAWYER (q.v.).—Century.
