Set"ter (?), n.
1.
One who, or that which, sets; -- used mostly in composition with a noun, as typesetter; or in combination with an adverb, as a setter on (or inciter), a setter up, a setter forth.
2. Zool.
A hunting dog of a special breed originally derived from a cross between the spaniel and the pointer. Modern setters are usually trained to indicate the position of game birds by standing in a fixed position, but originally they indicated it by sitting or crouching.
⇒ There are several distinct varieties of setters; as, the Irish, or red, setter; the Gordon setter, which is usually red or tan varied with black; and the English setter, which is variously colored, but usually white and tawny red, with or without black.
3.
One who hunts victims for sharpers.
Shak.
4.
One who adapts words to music in composition.
5.
An adornment; a decoration; -- with off.
[Obs.]
They come as . . . setters off of thy graces.
Whitlock.
6. Pottery
A shallow seggar for porcelain.
Ure.
© Webster 1913.
Set"ter, v. t.
To cut the dewlap (of a cow or an ox), and to insert a seton, so as to cause an issue.
[Prov. Eng.]
© Webster 1913.