setback

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsɛtbæk/

Noun

setback (plural setbacks)

1. An obstacle, delay, disadvantage, blow an adverse event which retards or prevents progress towards a desired outcome

   After some initial setbacks, the expedition went safely on its way.

2. (US) The required distance between a structure and a road.
3. (architecture) A step-like recession in a wall.

   Setbacks were initially used for structural reasons, but now are often mandated by land use codes.

4. An offset to the temperature setting of a thermostat to cover a period when more or less heating is required than usual.
   • 1980, Popular Science (volume 217, number 4)

     Fuel savings from thermostat setbacks have long been accepted as fact, but little documentation existed to support it.

5. (possibly archaic) A backset; a countercurrent; an eddy.
6. (archaic) A backset; a check; a repulse; a relapse.

Translations

• French: contretemps, obstacle
• German: Rückschlag, Hindernis
• Italian: contrattempo, impedimento
• Portuguese: contratempo, contrariedade
• Russian: препя́тствие
• Spanish: contratiempo, descalabro, varapalo, mazazo

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