What does sett mean?
A sett is a hunting dog belonging to the setter breed. These dogs are trained to search for gamebirds and then stop in a fixed position, or “set,” when they detect a scent. Their long coats and distinctive pointing behavior make them familiar in field sports, although they are also kept as companion dogs. The term is related to the broader name setter and may refer to several established breeds, including the English, Irish, and Gordon setter. In ordinary modern usage, sett is less common than setter and often appears in discussions of field trials, game shooting, or the breed’s characteristic poised posture. Its name therefore captures the central skill of the animal: locating game and communicating its presence through stillness rather than barking or rushing forward.
nounA sett is a long-haired hunting dog of the setter breed, trained to locate gamebirds and indicate their position by holding a fixed point. In modern English, the term is chiefly associated with breeds such as the English, Irish, and Gordon setters.
- A long-haired hunting dog of the setter breed, trained to point the location of gamebirds.
"The sett held perfectly still, pointing toward a quail hidden in the tall grass."
"The farmer released the sett into the field and watched it work."
"Several setters competed in the bird-dog trials."
Use setters when referring to more than one sett.
"The two setters rested beside the shooting field."
A sett announces hidden game by freezing in place, turning scent into a striking visual signal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sett come from?
The word sett is a shortened form of setter. The name setter describes the characteristic hunting posture in which the dog pauses and points toward game, ultimately deriving from the Old English verb settan, meaning “to put, place, or set.” This sense was transferred from the action of setting something down to the corresponding action performed by a hunting dog.
Related word forms
How sett is actually used
In present-day English, sett is mainly encountered in reference to setter-type hunting dogs, especially in Britain and sporting contexts. Its plural is setters.
Easily confused with sett
A sett is a specific type of hunting dog, whereas a setter is the broader breed name.
A sett is a hunting dog; a set is a collection of related things or a tennis unit.