settle

To settle is defined as to put in order, set in place, pay a debt or to resolve a legal dispute.

(verb)

  1. An example of settle is someone organizing their legal documents.
  2. An example of settle is dust falling to the ground after a sand storm.
  3. An example of settle is paying off a car loan.

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See settle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a long wooden bench with a back, armrests, and sometimes a chest beneath the seat

Origin: ME settel < OE setl (akin to Ger sessel) < IE *sedla- < base *sed- > sit

transitive verb settled, settling

  1. to put in order; arrange or adjust as desired: to settle one's affairs
  2. to set in place firmly or comfortably: to settle oneself in a chair
  3. to establish as a resident or residents: he settled his family in London
  4. to migrate to and set up a community in; colonize: New York was settled by the Dutch
  5. to cause to sink and become more dense and compact: the rain settled the dust
  6. to clarify (a liquid) by causing the sediment to sink to the bottom
  7. to free (the mind, nerves, stomach, etc.) from disturbance; calm or quiet
  8. to prevent from creating a disturbance or interfering, or from continuing in such action, as by a reprimand or a blow
  9. to make stable or permanent; establish
  10. to establish in business, office, work, marriage, etc.
  11. to fix definitely; determine or decide (something in doubt)
  12. to end (a dispute)
  13. to pay (a bill, debt, account, etc.)
  14. to make over (property, etc.) to someone by legal action: with on or upon
  15. to resolve (a legal dispute) by agreement between the parties
  16. to impregnate (a female): said of an animal

Origin: ME setlen < OE setlan < setl, a seat: see settle

intransitive verb

  1. to stop moving and stay in one place; come to rest
  2. to cast itself, as darkness, fog, etc. over a landscape, or gloom or silence over a person or group; descend
  3. to become localized in a given part of the body: said of pain or disease
  4. to take up permanent residence; make one's home
  5. to move downward; sink, esp. gradually: the car settled in the mud
  6. to become more dense or compact by sinking, as sediment or loose soil when shaken
  7. to become clearer by the settling of sediment or dregs
  8. to become more stable or composed; stop fluctuating or changing
    1. to reach an agreement or decision: usually with with, on, or upon
    2. ☆ to accept something in place of what is hoped for, demanded, etc.: with for: he'll settle for any kind of work
  9. to pay a bill or debt

See settle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb set·tled, set·tling, set·tles
verb, transitive
  1. To put into order; arrange or fix definitely as desired.
  2. To put firmly into a desired position or place; establish.
  3. a. To establish as a resident or residents: settled her family in Ohio.
    b. To establish residence in; colonize: Pioneers settled the West.
    c. To establish in a residence, business, or profession.
  4. To restore calmness or comfort to.
  5. a. To cause to sink, become compact, or come to rest.
    b. To cause (a liquid) to become clear by forming a sediment.
  6. To subdue or make orderly.
  7. To establish on a permanent basis; stabilize.
  8. a. To make compensation for (a claim).
    b. To pay (a debt).
  9. To conclude (a dispute, for example) by a final decision.
  10. To decide (a lawsuit) by mutual agreement of the involved parties without court action.
  11. Law To secure or assign (property or title) by legal action.
verb, intransitive
  1. To discontinue moving and come to rest in one place.
  2. To move downward; sink or descend, especially gradually: Darkness settled over the fields. Dust settled in the road.
  3. a. To become clear by the sinking of suspended particles. Used of liquids.
    b. To be separated from a solution or mixture as a sediment.
    c. To become compact by sinking, as sediment when stirred up.
  4. a. To establish one's residence: settled in Canada.
    b. To become established or localized: The cold settled in my chest.
  5. To reach a decision; determine: We finally settled on a solution to the problem. See Synonyms at decide.
  6. To come to an agreement, especially to resolve a lawsuit out of court.
  7. a. To provide compensation for a claim.
    b. To pay a debt.
noun
A long wooden bench with a high back, often including storage space beneath the seat.
Phrasal Verbs: settle down To begin living a stable and orderly life: He settled down as a farmer with a family. To become calm or composed. settle for To accept in spite of incomplete satisfaction: had to settle for a lower wage than the one requested.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English setlen, to seat

Origin: , from Old English setlan

Origin: , from setl, seat; see sed- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • setˈtle·a·ble adjective

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