I. ˈse-t ə l verb
( set·tled ; set·tling ˈset-liŋ, ˈse-t ə l-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 : 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
Synonyms: see decide
• set·tle·able ˈse-t ə l-ə-bəl, ˈset-lə-bəl adjective
•
- settle for
- settle one's hash
- settle the stomach
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, place for sitting, seat, chair, from Old English setl; akin to Old High German sezzal seat, Latin sella seat, chair, Old English sittan to sit
Date: 1553
: a wooden bench with arms, a high solid back, and an enclosed foundation which can be used as a chest