settle

¹set·tle

verb \ˈse-t^əl\

set·tledset·tling\ˈset-liŋ, ˈse-t^əl-iŋ\

Definition of SETTLE

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 : impregnate

intransitive 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

— 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

Examples of SETTLE

1. They were determined to settle the dispute before going home for the day.
2. The two sides have settled their differences.
3. We need to settle this question once and for all.
4. That settles it. I can't take the day off from work, so I'm not going.
5. His grandparents were immigrants from Germany who settled in Pennsylvania.
6. He always thought he'd leave the city and settle in the country.
7. the people who settled the West

Illustration of SETTLE

Origin of SETTLE

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

First Known Use: 1515

Related to SETTLE

Synonyms: lay, sediment

Antonyms: raise

Related Words: filter, screen, sieve, sift, strain; clarify, clear; resettle

Near Antonyms: agitate, disturb, mix, stir

see all synonyms and antonyms

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