Main Entry: ¹set·tle

Pronunciation: \ˈse-t^əl\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): set·tled; set·tling \ˈset-liŋ, ˈse-t^əl-iŋ\

Etymology: Middle English, to seat, bring to rest, come to rest, from Old English setlan, from setl seat

Date: 1515

transitive verb 1 : to place so as to stay
2 a : to establish in residence b : to furnish with inhabitants : colonize
3 a : to cause to pack down b : to clarify by causing dregs or impurities to sink
4 : to make quiet or orderly
5 a : to fix or resolve conclusively <settle the question> b : to establish or secure permanently <settle the order of royal succession> c : to conclude (a lawsuit) by agreement between parties usually out of court d : to close (as an account) by payment often of less than is due
6 : to arrange in a desired position
7 : to make or arrange for final disposition of <settled his affairs>
8 of an animal : impregnateintransitive verb 1 : to come to rest
2 a : to sink gradually or to the bottom b : to become clear by the deposit of sediment or scum c : to become compact by sinking
3 a : to become fixed, resolved, or established <a cold settled in his chest> b : to establish a residence or colony <settled in Wisconsin> —often used with down
4 a : to become quiet or orderly b : to take up an ordered or stable life —often used with down <marry and settle down>
5 a : to adjust differences or accounts b : to come to a decision —used with on or upon <settled on a new plan> c : to conclude a lawsuit by agreement out of court
6 of an animal : conceive

synonyms see decide

— set·tle·able \ˈse-t^əl-ə-bəl, ˈset-lə-bəl\ adjective

— settle for : to be content with

— settle one's hash : to silence or subdue someone by decisive action

— settle the stomach : to remove or relieve the distress or nausea of indigestion

[settle illustration]