Many words in English have more than one meaning. The word set, for example, is one word with a particularly large number of distinctly different meanings. As our focus is academic English, some key uses of set are illustrated by these examples.

• a) Set the instruments to zero. [get something ready so it can be operated]
• b) I would like to set some ground rules for the course. [establish]
• c) The decision set a number of changes in motion. [caused to be in a stated condition]
• d) We must set a time for our next meeting. [arrange]
• e) Concrete sets as it cools. [becomes solid]
• f) The students entered the room and immediately set to work. [started work]
• g) The condition is associated with a particular set of symptoms. [group]
• h) We have a number of set books to study in our literature class. [that must be studied]

Here are some more words which in an academic context may have a different meaning from those you are familiar with from your knowledge of general English.

Many academic words have specific meanings according to their discipline. Channel, for example, has specific meanings in electronics, linguistics, biology, physics and geography. So you will, of course, need a specialist dictionary for your own subject.

Other words, e.g. issue and point have several generally important academic meanings.

• • The writer takes issue with Kwame's interpretation. [raises arguments against]
• • In your essay you should address a number of key issues. [topics]
• • Have you seen the latest issue of the Malaysian Medical Journal? [edition]
• • Jackson raises some interesting points in his article. [opinions, ideas, information]
• • The writer takes a long time to get to the point. [most significant part]