What is the world's longest definition in the English dictionary?

Although definitions of words differ with different dictionaries one word seems to have the longest definition in most of them.

The unimpressive word set, with only 3 letters, 2 consonants and 1 vowel, takes the cake when it comes to long definitions.

According to thefreedictionary.com the definition of set is as follows:

set 1
v. set, set·ting, sets
v.tr.
1. To put in a specified position; place: set a book on a table.
2. To put into a specified state: set the prisoner at liberty.
3.
a. To put into a stable position: set the fence post into a bed of concrete.
b. To fix firmly or in an immobile manner: He set his jaw and concentrated on flying the plane through the storm.
4. To restore to a proper and normal state when dislocated or broken: set a broken arm.....

Actually the definition just keeps going and going, in fact we counted 6,672 words and 37,463 characters in the definition of set, so if you really want to see the entire world's longest definition you can find it here.

Posted in: General Knowledge