sit (sĭt)

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[Middle English sitten, from Old English sittan.]

verb: sat (săt), sit·ting, sits. 

intransitive verb 

1. To rest with the torso vertical and the body supported on the buttocks.
2. 1. To rest with the hindquarters lowered onto a supporting surface. Used of animals.
   2. To perch. Used of birds.
3. To cover eggs for hatching; brood.
4. To be situated or located: a house that sits on a hill.
5. To lie or rest: Dishes were sitting on a shelf. See Usage Note at: set
6. To pose for an artist or photographer.
7. 1. To occupy a seat as a member of a body of officials: sit in Congress.
   2. To be in session.
8. To remain inactive or unused: Her expensive skis sat gathering dust.
9. To affect one with or as if with a burden; weigh: Official duties sat heavily upon the governor.
10. To fit, fall, or drape in a specified manner: The jacket sits perfectly on you.
11. To be agreeable to one; please: The idea didn't sit well with any of us.
12. Chiefly British To take an examination, as for a degree.
13. To blow from a particular direction. Used of the wind.
14. To keep watch or take care of a child.

transitive verb 

1. To cause to sit; seat: Sit yourself over there.
2. To keep one's seat on (an animal): She sits her horse well.
3. To sit on (eggs) for the purpose of hatching.
4. To provide seating accommodation for: a theater that sits 1,000 people.

noun 

1. 1. The act of sitting.
   2. A period of time spent sitting.
2. The way in which an article of clothing, such as a dress or jacket, fits.

phrasal verbs

sit down

To take a seat.

sit in

To be present or participate as a visitor at a discussion or music session.

To act as a substitute: She sat in for the vacationing news anchor.

To take part in a sit-in.

sit on

To confer about.

To suppress or repress: sat on the evidence.

To postpone action or resolution regarding.

Slang To rebuke sharply; reprimand.

sit out

To stay until the end of.

To refrain from taking part in: sit out a dance.

sit up

To rise from lying down to a sitting position.

To sit with the spine erect.

To stay up later than the customary bedtime.

To become suddenly alert: The students sat up when he mentioned the test.

idioms

sit on (one's) hands

To fail to act.

sit pretty

To be in a very favorable position.

sit tight

To be patient and await the next move.