n.
Pronunciation: ' se-t ə l
Function: verb
Inflected Form: set · tled ; set · tling \ ' set-li ŋ , ' se-t ə l-i ŋ \
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 \ ' se-t ə l- ə -b ə l, ' set-l ə -b ə l \ 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