sitting
/'sitiɳ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A period of time during which one is seated and engaged in an activity: A "sitting" refers to a continuous period spent seated, often for a specific purpose like eating, reading, or having a portrait painted.
- A scheduled meeting or session of an official body: A "sitting" can also mean a formal meeting of a court, legislature, or similar assembly.
- A group of eggs incubated by a bird: In ornithology, a "sitting" denotes a clutch of eggs being incubated at one time.
Adjective:
- In a seated position: Describes a person or figure that is seated.
- Currently holding an official position: Used to describe a person who currently occupies a role, especially in a formal body.
- Easily targeted; vulnerable: Describes a target that is stationary and therefore an easy mark.
Usage and Examples
Noun:
- I finished the book in one sitting. (I read the entire book during one continuous period of being seated.)
- The committee will hold a sitting tomorrow to vote on the bill. (The committee will have a formal meeting tomorrow.)
- The hen has a sitting of twelve eggs. (The hen is incubating a group of twelve eggs.)
Adjective:
- The artist painted a sitting figure. (The artist painted a person who was in a seated position.)
- The sitting president will give a speech. (The president who currently holds the office will give a speech.)
- The parked car was a sitting target for thieves. (The stationary car was an easy target.)
Advanced Usage
- "At one sitting": During a single, continuous period of an activity.
- He can eat an entire pizza at one sitting.
- "Sitting member": A person who currently holds a particular elected seat.
- The sitting member of parliament is favored to win re-election.
- "Sitting duck" (Idiom): An easy or defenseless target.
- Without any cover, the soldiers were sitting ducks for enemy snipers.
Variants and Related Words
- Sitter (n): A person who sits, especially for a portrait; a person who cares for children or pets in a home (short for "babysitter" or "housesitter").
- Seated (adj): The more common adjective for being in a sitting position.
Synonyms
- Noun (for a period): Session, stint, spell.
- Noun (for a meeting): Session, assembly, meeting.
- Adjective (for position): Seated.
- Adjective (for vulnerability): Exposed, vulnerable.
Idioms and Phrases
- "Sitting pretty": In a favorable or advantageous position.
- After the deal, the company is sitting pretty financially.
- "Sitting on the fence": Refusing to take sides in a dispute; being undecided.
- Stop sitting on the fence and tell us which proposal you prefer.
Adjective
- not moving and therefore easy to attack
- a sitting target
- (of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
- the seated Madonna
- the audience remained seated
Noun
- a session as of a legislature or court
- a meeting of spiritualists
- the seance was held in the medium's parlor
- the act of assuming or maintaining a seated position
- he read the mystery at one sitting
- (photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
- he wanted his portrait painted but couldn't spare time for the sitting