settle

¹

[ set-l ]

verb (used with object)

, set·tled, set·tling.

1. to appoint, fix, or resolve definitely and conclusively; agree upon (as time, price, or conditions).

   Synonyms: determine, decide, set

2. to place in a desired state or in order:

   to settle one's affairs.

3. to pay, as a bill.
4. to close (an account) by payment.

   Synonyms: liquidate

5. to migrate to and organize (an area, territory, etc.); colonize:

   The pilgrims settled Plymouth.

6. to cause to take up residence:

   They settled immigrants in urban areas.

   Synonyms: relocate

7. to furnish (a place) with inhabitants or settlers:

   The French settled this colony with army veterans.

   Synonyms: colonize, people

8. to quiet, calm, or bring to rest (the nerves, stomach, etc.).
9. to stop from annoying or opposing:

   A sharp word will settle that youngster.

   Synonyms: pacify, still, compose, tranquilize

10. to conclude or resolve:

    to settle a dispute.

11. to make (someone) comfortable or snug.
12. to make stable; place in a permanent position or on a permanent basis.

    Synonyms: establish, stabilize

13. to cause (a liquid) to become clear by depositing dregs.
14. to cause (dregs, sediment, etc.) to sink or be deposited.
15. to cause to sink down gradually; make firm or compact.
16. to dispose of finally; close up:

    to settle an estate.

17. Law.
    1. to secure (property, title, etc.) on or to a person by formal or legal process.
    2. to terminate (legal proceedings) by mutual consent of the parties.

verb (used without object)

, set·tled, set·tling.

1. to decide, arrange, or agree (often followed by on or upon ):

   to settle on a plan of action.

2. to arrange matters in dispute; come to an agreement:

   to settle with a person.

3. to pay a bill; make a financial arrangement (often followed by up ).
4. to take up residence in a new country or place:

   Many Frenchmen settled along the Mississippi River following La Salle's explorations.

   Synonyms: relocate, locate

5. to come to rest, as from flight:

   A bird settled on a bough.

6. to gather, collect, or become fixed in a particular place, direction, etc.:

   A cold settled in my head.

7. to become calm or composed (often followed by down ):

   I'll wait until the class settles before starting the lesson.

8. to come to rest (often followed by down ):

   We settled down for the night at an old country inn.

9. to sink down gradually; subside.

   Synonyms: fall, decline, abate

10. to become clear by the sinking of suspended particles, as a liquid.
11. to sink to the bottom, as sediment.
12. to become firm or compact, as the ground.
13. (of a female animal) to become pregnant; conceive.

verb phrase

1. to be satisfied with:

   to settle for less.

2. to become established in:

   to settle into a new routine.

3. 1. to become established in some routine, especially upon marrying, after a period of independence or indecision.
   2. to become calm or quiet.
   3. to apply oneself to serious work:

      There were so many distractions that we weren't able to settle down to studying.

settle

²

[ set-l ]

noun

1. a long seat or bench, usually wooden, with arms and a high back.

settle

¹

/ ˈsɛtəl /

noun

1. a seat, for two or more people, usually made of wood with a high back and arms, and sometimes having a storage space in the boxlike seat

settle

²

/ ˈsɛtəl /

verb

1. tr to put in order; arrange in a desired state or condition

   he settled his affairs before he died

2. to arrange or be arranged in a fixed or comfortable position

   he settled himself by the fire

3. intr to come to rest or a halt

   a bird settled on the hedge

4. to take up or cause to take up residence

   the family settled in the country

5. to establish or become established in a way of life, job, residence, etc
6. tr to migrate to and form a community; colonize
7. to make or become quiet, calm, or stable
8. intr to be cast or spread; come down

   fog settled over a wide area

9. to make (a liquid) clear or (of a liquid) to become clear; clarify
10. to cause (sediment) to sink to the bottom, as in a liquid, or (of sediment) to sink thus
11. to subside or cause to subside and become firm or compact

    the dust settled

12. sometimes foll by up to pay off or account for (a bill, debt, etc)
13. tr to decide, conclude, or dispose of

    to settle an argument

14. intr; often foll by on or upon to agree or fix

    to settle upon a plan

15. tr; usually foll by on or upon to secure (title, property, etc) to a person, as by making a deed of settlement, will, etc

    he settled his property on his wife

16. to determine (a legal dispute, etc) by agreement of the parties without resort to court action (esp in the phrase settle out of court )

Derived Forms

• ˈsettleable, adjective

Other Words From

• settle·a·ble adjective
• settle·a·bili·ty noun
• settled·ness noun
• quasi-settled adjective
• un·settle·a·ble adjective
• well-settled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of settle¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English setlen, setel(le) “to seat, place in a seat, be seated; sink down; descend,” Old English setlan (attested once) “to settle, seat, take a position of rest,” derivative of setl settle ²; compare Dutch zetelen

Origin of settle²

First recorded before 900; Middle English setle, setel(e), settel “seat, chair, bench, place for sitting,” Old English setl, sedl, sethl; cognate with German Sessel “armchair,” Gothic sitls “seat,” Latin sella (from unrecorded sedla “saddle”; akin to sit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of settle¹

Old English setl; related to Old Saxon, Old High German sezzal

Origin of settle²

Old English setlan; related to Dutch zetelen; see settle ²

Example Sentences

Bridgewater, which fought the panel’s decision that it must pay the Tekmerion founders’ legal fees, has since settled the case.

From Fortune

Researchers have generally settled for repeatedly measuring flow speed at several points in the turbulence.

From Quanta Magazine

They don’t jump back in and trade until mid-November once the dust has settled.

From Fortune

As businesses have settled into this new normal, they’ve also been looking inward.

From Digiday

As the realization settles in that the pandemic will stretch into multiple quarters rather than multiple months, CEOs must again grapple with how to advise their employees on returning to the office.

From Fortune

I settle for a sweater and jacket and throw a tie in my briefcase just in case it turns out to be the prom.

From The Daily Beast

I started to squirm in my chair and Jimbo put his hand back on my shoulder to settle me down.

From The Daily Beast

The pressure is on the Supreme Court to settle this once and for all.

From The Daily Beast

Now they either settle, which they should have done 20 years ago, or they go in front of the judge.

From The Daily Beast

They form a daily currency by which we settle relationships, but they also create doubt.

From The Daily Beast

Having accomplished his task within three months Datto Mandi withdrew with all his men, except two who wished to settle at Pardo.

From Project Gutenberg

As night began to settle down over the land, the Queen Elizabeth seemed to feel the time had come to give full vent to her wrath.

From Project Gutenberg

And we will also settle and assure the particular rights and interests of every planter and adventurer.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, one evening, his wife and children deserted him entirely and went to settle elsewhere, thinking it was all over with him.

From Project Gutenberg

Many people when presented with the argument above, would settle it at once with the word "socialism."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• achieve
• clear
• complete
• conclude
• decide
• determine
• end
• establish
• fix
• negotiate
• pay
• put an end to
• work out