set
1. A term used with reference to the
transformation of an adhesive into a solid
(hardened) condition by means of chemical or
physical processes, such as condensation,
polymerization, oxidation, vulcanization,
gelation, hydration, or evaporation of the
volatile constituents. Adhesives vary greatly in
their "sets," both in time and conditions under
which they take place. Glue sets by cooling, paste
by evaporation of the volatile constituents, e.g.,
water, etc. The final set of most adhesives used
in archival work usually takes place by
evaporation. This type of setting almost always
results in shrinkage which, if severe, may cause
the adhesive to withdraw from the surface of the
joint, leaving it weakened or defective. 2. The
distance between the left- and right-hand sides of
a piece of movable type. Type is said to have a
wide or narrow "set" according to the width of the
body. 3. The peculiarities of a sheet of paper, as
manifest during folding. 4. The permanence or
"set" of the fibers in a sheet of paper produced
by heavy calendering. (16 , 154 , 156 , 309 )