Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. not moving and therefore easy to attack
   • a sitting target
2. (of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
   • the seated Madonna
   • the audience remained seated

Noun

1. a session as of a legislature or court
2. a meeting of spiritualists
   • the seance was held in the medium's parlor
3. the act of assuming or maintaining a seated position
   • he read the mystery at one sitting
4. (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