settle: Meaning and Definition of
set•tle
Pronunciation: (set'l), [key] — v., -tled, -tling.
—v.t. - to appoint, fix, or resolve definitely and conclusively; agree upon (as time, price, or conditions).
- to place in a desired state or in order: to settle one's affairs.
- to pay, as a bill.
- to close (an account) by payment.
- to migrate to and organize (an area, territory, etc.); colonize: The pilgrims settled Plymouth.
- to cause to take up residence: They settled immigrants in urban areas.
- to furnish (a place) with inhabitants or settlers: The French settled this colony with army veterans.
- to quiet, calm, or bring to rest (the nerves, stomach, etc.).
- to stop from annoying or opposing: A sharp word will settle that youngster.
- to conclude or resolve: to settle a dispute.
- to make stable; place in a permanent position or on a permanent basis.
- to cause (a liquid) to become clear by depositing dregs.
- to cause (dregs, sediment, etc.) to sink or be deposited.
- to cause to sink down gradually; make firm or compact.
- to dispose of finally; close up: to settle an estate.
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- to secure (property, title, etc.) on or to a person by formal or legal process.
- to terminate (legal proceedings) by mutual consent of the parties.
—v.i. - to decide, arrange, or agree (often fol. by on or upon): to settle on a plan of action.
- to arrange matters in dispute; come to an agreement: to settle with a person.
- to pay a bill; make a financial arrangement (often fol. by up).
- to take up residence in a new country or place: Many Frenchmen settled along the Mississippi River following La Salle's explorations.
- to come to rest, as from flight: A bird settled on a bough.
- to gather, collect, or become fixed in a particular place, direction, etc.: A cold settled in my head.
- to become calm or composed (often fol. by down): I'll wait until the class settles before starting the lesson.
- to come to rest (often fol. by down): We settled down for the night at an old country inn.
- to sink down gradually; subside.
- to become clear by the sinking of suspended particles, as a liquid.
- to sink to the bottom, as sediment.
- to become firm or compact, as the ground.
- (of a female animal) to become pregnant; conceive.
- There were so many distractions that we weren't able to settle down to studying.
- to become established in some routine, esp. upon marrying, after a period of independence or indecision.
- to become calm or quiet.
- to apply oneself to serious work:There were so many distractions that we weren't able to settle down to studying.
- to be satisfied with: to settle for less.
- to become established in: to settle into a new routine.
set•tle
Pronunciation: (set'l), [key] — n.
- a long seat or bench, usually wooden, with arms and a high back.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.