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 verb1: to place so as to stay2 a: to establish in residence b: to furnish with inhabitants : colonize3 a: to cause to pack down b: to clarify by causing dregs or impurities to sink4: to make quiet or orderly5 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 due6: to arrange in a desired position7: to make or arrange for final disposition of <settled his affairs>8of an animal : impregnateintransitive verb1: to come to rest2 a: to sink gradually or to the bottom b: to become clear by the deposit of sediment or scum c: to become compact by sinking3 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 down4 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 court6of 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]