On the minimum number of blocks defining a design

A set of blocks which is a subset of a unique t – (v, k, λt) design is said to be a defining set of that design. We examine the properties of such a set, and show that its automorphism group is related to that of the whole design. Smallest defining sets are found for 2-designs and 3-designs on seven or eight varieties with block size three or four, revealing interesting combinatorial structures.