[set.tle] vb set.tled ; set.tling [ME, to seat, bring to rest, come to rest, fr. OE setlan, fr. setl seat] vt (1515) 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 "~ the question" b: to establish or secure permanently "~ the order of royal succession" c: to conclude (a lawsuit) by agreement between parties usu. 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 ~ vi 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 ~ down"
5. a: to adjust differences or accounts b: to come to a decision--used with on or upon "~ed on a new plan" c: to conclude a lawsuit by agreement out of court
6. of an animal: conceive syn see decide -- set.tle.able adj -- 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
[2]set.tle n [ME, place for sitting, seat, chair, fr. OE setl; akin to OHG sezzal seat, L sella seat, chair, OE sittan to sit] (1553): a wooden bench with arms, a high solid back, and an enclosed foundation which can be used as a chest