ext_147905 ([identity profile] prettygoodword.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] prettygoodword 2006-03-07 12:46 am (UTC)

Except that a sett is the burrow of a badger, not a group of them.

The OED classifies that sett with set n1, the action of setting and its derivatives (as opposed to set n2, senses of being a collection). And that sense of sett doesn't appear till the late 19th century, well after cete. (Other meanings of sett: a squared paving stone, esp. of granite; each of the squares in the pattern a tartan; the adjustment of the reeds of a loom necessary for the making of a fabric of a particular texture, and the make of fabric the gives; and a tool or device used for setting, eps. a heavy punch or chisel for use on metal or stone -- whee!).

---L.

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting