sit

/sit/

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The word "sit" is a verb that means to be in a position where your body is resting on a surface, usually with your back upright and your legs bent. Here’s a simple breakdown of its meanings, usage, and related information:

Basic Meanings

1. To Rest on a Surface: When you sit, you place your body on a chair, bench, or the ground.

   • Example: "Please sit on the chair."

2. To Assume a Position for a Purpose: Sometimes, you sit for a specific reason, like posing for a picture or being part of a group.

   • Example: "She sat for her portrait."

3. To Be Located or Situated: "Sit" can also describe where something is positioned.

   • Example: "The school sits on the hill."

4. To Act as a Babysitter: It can mean to look after children.

   • Example: "I will sit the kids while you go out."

Usage Instructions

• In a Sentence: Use "sit" when you want to describe the action of resting or being in a position where you are not standing.
• With Objects: You can say that something "sits" somewhere to describe its location.

Advanced Usage

• Formal Situations: In more formal contexts, "sit" can refer to being part of a group, like a jury or council.
  • Example: "He was chosen to sit on the committee."

Word Variants

• Sitting (noun/verb): The act of being seated or a position where someone is seated.
• Sat (past tense): The past form of "sit."
  • Example: "Yesterday, I sat on the bench."

Different Meanings

• To Pose: When someone "sits" for an artist, it means they are posing for a drawing or painting.
• To Be in Session: In legal terms, when a court "sits," it means it is in session.
  • Example: "The court sits every Monday."

Synonyms

• Perch: To sit on something high or narrow.
• Rest: To relax in a sitting or lying position.
• Park: To place or leave something, often in terms of vehicles, but can also refer to sitting.

Idioms

• "Sit tight": To wait patiently without taking action.
  • Example: "Just sit tight until we get more information."

Phrasal Verbs

• Sit down: To lower yourself into a sitting position.
  • Example: "Please sit down and relax."
• Sit up: To move from a lying position to a sitting position.
  • Example: "He sat up in bed when he heard the noise."

Summary

The word "sit" is very versatile and can be used in many contexts. Whether you are talking about resting your body, being part of a group, or even describing the location of something, "sit" is an essential word in English.

Academic

Verb

1. serve in a specific professional capacity
   • the priest sat for confession
   • she sat on the jury
2. show to a seat; assign a seat for
   • The host seated me next to Mrs. Smith
3. work or act as a baby-sitter; I have too much homework to do"
   • I cannot baby-sit tonight
4. be located or situated somewhere
   • The White House sits on Pennsylvania Avenue
5. sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
   • She never sat a horse!
   • Did you ever ride a camel?
   • The girl liked to drive the young mare
6. assume a posture as for artistic purposes
   • We don't know the woman who posed for Leonardo so often
7. be in session
   • When does the court of law sit?
8. take a seat
9. be around, often idly or without specific purpose
   • The object sat in the corner
   • We sat around chatting for another hour
10. be seated

Synonyms

• seat
• sit down
• baby-sit
• ride
• model
• pose
• posture
• sit around