stet

noun

1. A symbol used by proofreaders and typesetters to indicate that a word or phrase that was crossed out or changed should remain as it was.

   “I believe the word "stet" is unnecessary and confusing; that it is used only on the margin when something has has been crossed off in the body of the text and is also used only with the dots (the stet marks ........) placed under the words in the body of the matter to be stetted—or to let stand as they were.”

   “But a typographer in far-off Australia would instantly comprehend the carets, "stets," and "deles" of a Brooklyn proof-reader.”

   “By "editor" I suppose you mean proofreader. [...] I have also come across a few pompous avuncular brutes who would attempt to "make suggestions" which I countered with a thunderous "stet!"”

   “And my copyeditors at HarperCollins want me to use the word “commodified” exclusively, since it’s the only one in Websters. But I see the words as very different, and have issued a big STET on that one.”

2. (especially)An order staying all proceedings in an action.

   “("To be eligible for a stet, the defendant must waive his right to a speedy trial.") (stating that when a prosecutor "stets" a case, the state is declining to prosecute it”

   “In this jurisdiction, the system has some special procedures. A stet is an inactive court docket whereby a case is held inactive for up to one year.”

verb

1. (transitive)To let (edited material) stand, or remain as it was.

   “Stet that colon.”

   “To stet in the fifth line these words , "Any minister of the Church of England or"”

   “I believe the word "stet" is unnecessary and confusing; that it is used only on the margin when something has has been crossed off in the body of the text and is also used only with the dots (the stet marks ........) placed under the words in the body of the matter to be stetted—or to let stand as they were.”

   “Moreover it was unanously resolved to place a resolution on the A.D.M. agenda asking for the stetting of the recommendation that was deleted at Newport last year.”

2. To stay all proceedings in an action.

   “I respectfully submit the following statement in accordance with the order of the Convention:MAY TERM, 1864. / Indictments found....18 / Convicted....12 / Acquitted....5 / Stetted....2”

   “A protest has been set up by the Maryland Board of Pharmacy against the action of the state's attorney in stetting three indictments against M. A. Potocki, of Baltimore, who was on trial on five charges of violating the medical practice act”

   “Appellant contends that the indictment, having been stetted [in Maryland], it is no longer in force and effect (Applt.'s Brief, Point IV). It is submitted that the stetting of an indictment is equivalent only to a discharge of a defendant on his own recognizance.”

   “("To be eligible for a stet, the defendant must waive his right to a speedy trial.") (stating that when a prosecutor "stets" a case, the state is declining to prosecute it”