settle

v.

1. To decide

   decide, resolve, conclude; see decide.

2. To prove

   establish, verify, make certain; see prove.

3. To finish

   end, make an end of, complete; see achieve 1.

4. To sink

   descend, decline, fall; see sink 1.

5. To cause to sink

   submerge, submerse, plunge; see immerse 1, sink 2.

6. To quiet

   calm, compose, pacify; see quiet 1.

7. To establish residence

   locate, lodge, become a citizen, reside, fix one's residence, abide, set up housekeeping, make one's home, establish a home, keep house; see also dwell.

8. To take up sedentary life; often used with ""down''

   follow regular habits, live an orderly life, become conventional, follow convention, buy a house, marry, marry and settle down, raise a family, forsake one's wild ways, regulate one's life, get in a groove*, get in a rut*, lead a humdrum existence*, hang up one's hat*, clear the land*, mend one's fences*; see also improve 1, 2, live 4.

9. To satisfy a claim

   pay, compensate, make an adjustment, reach a compromise, make payment, arrange a settlement, get squared away, reconcile, resolve, rectify, pay damages, pay out, settle out of court, settle up, patch up, work out, settle the score, even the score, clear off old scores, dispose of, get quits with, account with. See syn. study at decide.decide.