settle Hear it!

settle¹ Definition

set·tle (set′'l)

noun

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

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

settle² Definition

set·tle (set′'l)

transitive verb -·tled, -·tling

  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

Etymology: 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
  10. to pay a bill or debt

settle² Idioms

settle down

  1. to take up permanent residence, a regular job, etc.; lead a more routine, stable life, as after marriage
  2. to become less nervous, restless, or erratic
  3. to become calm as by diminishing in force
  4. to apply oneself steadily or attentively

settle up

to determine what is owed and make the necessary adjustments

settle Synonyms

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.

settle Usage Examples

Object

  • dispute: If you do not and things do not go well you will have no legal recourse to settle the dispute.
  • claim: However, there is still good reason to resist the temptation to routinely settle these claims.
  • matter: First, try discussing the matter with the offender directly in order to settle the matter informally.
  • invoice: You can settle the invoice by Direct Debit, credit card or debit card.
  • nerve: I had a bit of a panic about meeting too many people and ordered a swift one, just to settle the nerves.
  • argument: The perfect way to settle every football argument or demonstrate tactics that should have been used on the pitch.

Subject

  • negotiation: Moreover, many more cases are settled by negotiation out of court than by the judges.

Preposition: as

  • hermit: A pilgrim from Ireland who returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land settled as a hermit near Modena in Italy.

Preposition: into

  • routine: The staff, a combination of teachers and instructors made us feel very welcome and the children quickly settled into the routine.
  • pattern: This may change after the initial launch as the use of the building settles into a regular pattern.

Modifying Another Word

  • amicably: The idea is to avoid time-consuming investigations and to try to ensure that the matter is settled amicably.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • down: He is settling down well to the flying there.
  • upon: John proves himself to be a cad, a bounder and a rotter, bedding whichever ladies his eye settles upon.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • down: I find it best to walk through them when you arrive and wait in a nearby cafe until things have settled down a bit.

Used with why or when

  • wherever: The rich and powerful can travel and settle wherever they please, why not the poor?

Infinitive complement

  • sleep: Gradually our dog got used to the fact I was going out and settled down to sleep.

Preposition: for

  • draw: With Blair looking groggy, the " big four " leaders pulled their punches and settled for a three-round draw on points.
  • silver: That slip cost Russia the team gold, and they had to settle for silver.
  • anything: Don't settle for anything less than a 17 " LCD monitor June 22, 2006.

Preposition: by

  • negotiation: Moreover, many more cases are settled by negotiation out of court than by the judges.
settle Quotes

I am not belittling the brave pioneer men but the sunbonnet as well as the sombrero has helped to settle this glorious land of ours.

—Ferber, Edna

I've taken my fun where I've found it, An'now I must pay for my fun, For the more you 'ave known o'the others The less will you settle for one;

—Kipling, (Joseph) Rudyard