Settle

• POS: Noun, Verb (intransitive), Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: set=tle

CIDE DICTIONARY

Settle, n. [OE. setel, setil, a seat, AS. setl: akin to OHG. sezzal, G. sessel, Goth. sitls, and E. sit. Sit.].

•  A seat of any kind.  Hampole.  [1913 Webster]
•  A bench; especially, a bench with a high back.  [1913 Webster]
•  A place made lower than the rest; a wide step or platform lower than some other part.  [1913 Webster]

  "And from the bottom upon the ground, even to the lower settle, shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit."  [1913 Webster]

Settle bed, a bed convertible into a seat. [Eng.]

Settle, v. t. [OE. setlen, AS. setlan. Settle, n. In senses 7, 8, and 9 perhaps confused with OE. sahtlen to reconcile, AS. sahtlian, fr. saht reconciliation, sacon to contend, dispute. Cf. Sake.].

•  To place in a fixed or permanent condition; to make firm, steady, or stable; to establish; to fix; esp., to establish in life; to fix in business, in a home, or the like.  [1913 Webster]

  "And he settled his countenance steadfastly upon him, until he was ashamed."  [1913 Webster]

  "The father thought the time drew on
  Of setting in the world his only son."  [1913 Webster]
•  To establish in the pastoral office; to ordain or install as pastor or rector of a church, society, or parish; as, to settle a minister.  [1913 Webster]
•  To cause to be no longer in a disturbed condition; to render quiet; to still; to calm; to compose.  [1913 Webster]

  "God settled then the huge whale-bearing lake."  [1913 Webster]

  "Hoping that sleep might settle his brains."  [1913 Webster]
•  To clear of dregs and impurities by causing them to sink; to render pure or clear; -- said of a liquid; as, to settle coffee, or the grounds of coffee.  [1913 Webster]
•  To restore or bring to a smooth, dry, or passable condition; -- said of the ground, of roads, and the like; as, clear weather settles the roads.  [1913 Webster]
•  To cause to sink; to lower; to depress; hence, also, to render close or compact; as, to settle the contents of a barrel or bag by shaking it.  [1913 Webster]
•  To determine, as something which is exposed to doubt or question; to free from unscertainty or wavering; to make sure, firm, or constant; to establish; to compose; to quiet; as, to settle the mind when agitated; to settle questions of law; to settle the succession to a throne; to settle an allowance.  [1913 Webster]

  "It will settle the wavering, and confirm the doubtful."  [1913 Webster]
•  To adjust, as something in discussion; to make up; to compose; to pacify; as, to settle a quarrel.  [1913 Webster]
•  To adjust, as accounts; to liquidate; to balance; as, to settle an account.  [1913 Webster]
•  Hence, to pay; as, to settle a bill.  Abbott.  [1913 Webster]
•  To plant with inhabitants; to colonize; to people; as, the French first settled Canada; the Puritans settled New England; Plymouth was settled in 1620.  [1913 Webster]

To settle on or To settle upon, (a) to confer upon by permanent grant; to assure to. “I . . . have settled upon him a good annuity.” Addison. (b) to choose; to decide on; -- sometimes with the implication that the choice is not ideal, but the best available. -- To settle the land (Naut.), to cause it to sink, or appear lower, by receding from it.

Syn. -- To fix; establish; regulate; arrange; compose; adjust; determine; decide.

Settle, v. i. 

•  To become fixed or permanent; to become stationary; to establish one's self or itself; to assume a lasting form, condition, direction, or the like, in place of a temporary or changing state.  [1913 Webster]

  "The wind came about and settled in the west."  [1913 Webster]

  "Chyle . . . runs through all the intermediate colors until it settles in an intense red."  [1913 Webster]
•  To fix one's residence; to establish a dwelling place or home; as, the Saxons who settled in Britain.  [1913 Webster]
•  To enter into the married state, or the state of a householder.  [1913 Webster]

  "As people marry now and settle."  [1913 Webster]
•  To be established in an employment or profession; as, to settle in the practice of law.  [1913 Webster]
•  To become firm, dry, and hard, as the ground after the effects of rain or frost have disappeared; as, the roads settled late in the spring.  [1913 Webster]
•  To become clear after being turbid or obscure; to clarify by depositing matter held in suspension; as, the weather settled; wine settles by standing.  [1913 Webster]

  "A government, on such occasions, is always thick before it settles."  [1913 Webster]
•  To sink to the bottom; to fall to the bottom, as dregs of a liquid, or the sediment of a reserveir.  [1913 Webster]
•  To sink gradually to a lower level; to subside, as the foundation of a house, etc.  [1913 Webster]
•  To become calm; to cease from agitation.  [1913 Webster]

  "Till the fury of his highness settle,
  Come not before him."  [1913 Webster]
•  To adjust differences or accounts; to come to an agreement; as, he has settled with his creditors.  [1913 Webster]
•  To make a jointure for a wife.  [1913 Webster]

  "He sighs with most success that settles well."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Settle, v.
1 tr. & intr. (often foll. by down) establish or become established in a more or less permanent abode or way of life.
2 intr. & tr. (often foll. by down) a cease or cause to cease from wandering, disturbance, movement, etc. b adopt a regular or secure style of life. c (foll. by to) apply oneself (to work, an activity, a way of life, etc.) (settled down to writing letters).
3 a intr. sit or come down to stay for some time. b tr. cause to do this.
4 tr. & intr. bring to or attain fixity, certainty, composure, or quietness.
5 tr. determine or decide or agree upon (shall we settle a date?).
6 tr. a resolve (a dispute etc.). b deal with (a matter) finally.
7 tr. terminate (a lawsuit) by mutual agreement.
8 intr. a (foll. by for) accept or agree to (esp. an alternative not one's first choice). b (foll. by on) decide on.
9 tr. (also absol.) pay (a debt, an account, etc.).
10 intr. (as settled adj.) not likely to change for a time (settled weather).
11 tr. a aid the digestion of (food). b remedy the disordered state of (nerves, the stomach, etc.).
12 tr. a colonize. b establish colonists in.
13 intr. subside; fall to the bottom or on to a surface (the foundations have settled; wait till the sediment settles; the dust will settle).
14 intr. (of a ship) begin to sink.
15 tr. get rid of the obstruction of (a person) by argument or conflict or killing.

Idiom

settle one's affairs make any necessary arrangements (e.g. write a will) when death is near. settle a person's hash see HASH(1). settle in become established in a place. settle up
1 (also absol.) pay (an account, debt, etc.).
2 finally arrange (a matter).
settle with
1 pay all or part of an amount due to (a creditor).
2 get revenge on. settling day the fortnightly pay-day on the Stock Exchange.

Derivative

settleable adj.

Settle, n. a bench with a high back and arms and often with a box fitted below the seat.

Etymology

OE setl place to sit f. Gmc

THESAURUS

Settle

KO, abalienate, abide, accommodate, accommodate with, accord, adapt, adapt to, adjust, adjust to, affirm, afford proof of, agree on, agree with, alien, alienate, alight, alight upon, allay, amortize, anchor, answer, answer conclusively, appoint, argue down, arrange, arrange matters, ascertain, assign, assimilate to, assure, attend to, balance, barter, be guided by, beat, beat all hollow, beat hollow, becalm, bed, bend, bequeath, best, billet at, bivouac, blast, blot out, bring home to, bring to terms, bring together, bump off, burrow, calm, calm down, camp, cave, cave in, cede, certify, chart, chime in with, choose, cinch, clarify, classify, clean up, clear, clear off, clear up, climb down, clinch, close, close with, codify, colonize, come down, come down on, come to anchor, comply, comply with, compose, compound, compromise, concert, conclude, confer, confirm, conform, confound, confute, consign, contradict, controvert, convey, cook, coordinate, cop out, correct, correspond, croak, crush, decide, decline, deed, deed over, deep-dye, defeat, define, deliver, demise, demolish, demonstrate, denizen, deny, descend, descend upon, destroy, determine, devolve upon, discharge, discipline, dish, dismiss, dismiss all doubt, dismount, dispose, dispose of, dive, do for, do in, domesticate, droop, drop, drop anchor, drop on, drub, duck responsibility, dwell, embed, empeople, enfeoff, engraft, engrave, ensconce, ensure, entrench, erase, establish, establish residence, etch, evade responsibility, exchange, fall, fall in with, fall on, figure, find, find out, finish, fit, fix, fix on, fix up, floor, flop, flop down, flump, flump down, follow, follow from, found, founder, gear to, get, get at, get down, get off, give, give and take, give it to, give the business, give title to, give way, go by, go down, go fifty-fifty, gravitate, ground, gun down, hand, hand down, hand on, hand over, harmonize, have a case, head, heal the breach, hide, hit, hit upon, hive, hold good, hold water, honor, hors de combat, ice, impact, implant, impress, imprint, incline, infix, ingrain, inhabit, inscribe, install, insure, jam, keep house, knock out, lambaste, land, lapse, lather, lay, lay out, lead, lean, lick, lift, light, light upon, liquidate, live, live at, locate, lodge, lose altitude, lower, lull, make a deal, make a decision, make accounts square, make an adjustment, make certain, make concessions, make conform, make good, make no doubt, make no mistake, make out, make over, make peace, make sure, make sure of, make up, mediate, meet, meet halfway, methodize, mold, moor, move, nail down, negotiate, nest, nonplus, normalize, nose-dive, observe, off, order, organize, outclass, outdo, outfight, outgeneral, outmaneuver, outpoint, outrun, outsail, outshine, overthrow, overturn, overwhelm, pack, park, parry, pass, pass on, pass over, patch things up, patch up, pay, pay in full, pay off, pay out, pay the bill, pay the shot, pay up, people, perch, pick, pioneer, place, plan, plant, play politics, plop, plop down, plump, plunge, point, polish off, populate, precipitate, print, prove, prove to be, prove true, purpose, put, put down, put in tune, put to silence, quiet, quiet down, quieten, quit, rationalize, reach a compromise, reassure, rebut, reconcile, rectify, redeem, reduce to silence, refute, regularize, regulate, relax, relocate, remain, remove all doubt, reside, resolve, restore harmony, retire, reunite, roost, root, routinize, rub off corners, rub out, ruin, rule, sag, satisfy, scuttle, seal, seat, see that, see to it, select, sell, serve one out, set, set at rest, set down, set in, set to rights, set up housekeeping, set up shop, settle differences, settle down, settle in, settle on, settle the matter, settle the score, settle with, shape, shoot down, show, shut up, sign away, sign over, silence, sink, sink down, sit, sit down, skin, skin alive, slouch, slump, slump down, smash all opposition, smooth it over, soothe, sort out, split the difference, square, square accounts, squash, squat, squelch, stamp, stand, standardize, stay, stay at, stereotype, stick, still, straighten, straighten out, strike a balance, strike a bargain, strike root, strike upon, submerge, subside, subvert, suit, surrender, swag, synchronize, systematize, take a resolution, take care of, take residence at, take root, take the mean, take up, take up residence, tally with, tend, tend to go, thrash, torpedo, touch down, trade, tranquilize, transfer, transmit, trim, triumph over, trounce, tune, tune up, turn over, undermine, undo, unhorse, upset, waste, wedge, whip, will, wind up, wipe out, work out, worst, yield, zap

ROGET THESAURUS

Settle

Will

VB will, list, see fit, think fit, determine, enjoin, settle, volunteer, have a will of one's own, do what one chooses, have it all, one's own way, have one's will, have one's own way, use one's discretion, exercise one's discretion, take upon oneself, take one's own course, take the law into one's own hands, do of one's own accord, do upon one's own authority, originate.

Choice

VB offers one's choice, set before, hold out the alternative, present the alternative, offer the alternative, put to the vote, use option, use discretion, exercise option, exercise discretion, one's option, adopt, take up, embrace, espouse, choose, elect, opt for, take one's choice, make one's choice, make choice of, fix upon, vote, poll, hold up one's hand, divide, settle, decide, list, make up one's mind, select, pick and choose, pick out, single out, cull, glean, winnow, sift the chaff from the wheat, separate the chaff from the wheat, winnow the chaff from the wheat, pick up, pitch upon, pick one's way, indulge one's fancy, set apart, mark out for, mark, prefer, have rather, have as lief, fancy, be persuaded, take a decided step, take a decisive step, commit oneself to a course, pass the Rubicon, cross the Rubicon, cast in one's lot with, take for better or for worse.

Arrangement

VB reduce to order, bring into order, introduce order into, rally, arrange, dispose, place, form, put in order, set in order, place in order, set out, collocate, pack, marshal, range, size, rank, group, parcel out, allot, distribute, deal, cast the parts, assign the parts, dispose of, assign places to, assort, sort, sift, riddle, put to rights, set to rights, put into shape, put in trim, put in array, apportion, class, classify, divide, file, string together, thread, register, catalogue, tabulate, index, graduate, digest, grade, methodize, regulate, systematize, coordinate, organize, settle, fix, unravel, disentangle, ravel, card, disembroil, feaze.

Success

VB succeed, be successful, gain one's end, gain one's ends, crown with success, gain a point, attain a point, carry a point, secure a point, win a point, win an object, get there, manage to, contrive to, accomplish, do wonders, work wonders, make a go of it, come off well, come off successful, come off with flying colors, make short work of, take by storm, carry by storm, bear away the bell, win one's wings, win one's spurs, win the battle, win the day, carry the day, gain the day, gain the prize, gain the palm, have the best of it, have it all one's own way, have the game in one's owns hands, have the ball at one's feet, have one on the hop, walk over the course, carry all before one, remain in possession of the field, score a success, speed, make progress, win one's way, make one's way, work one's way, find one's way, strive to some purpose, prosper, drive a roaring trade, make profit, reap the fruits, gather the fruits, reap the benefit of, reap the harvest, strike oil, gain a windfall, make one's fortune, get in the harvest, turn to good account, turn to account, triumph, be triumphant, gain a victory, obtain a victory, gain an advantage, chain victory to one's car, nail a coonskin to the wall, surmount a difficulty, overcome a difficulty, get over a difficulty, get over an obstacle, se tirer d'affaire, make head against, stem the torrent, stem the tide, stem the current, weather the storm, weather a point, turn a corner, keep one's head above water, tide over, master, get the better of, have the better of, gain the better of, gain the best of, gain the upper hand, gain the ascendancy, gain the whip hand, gain the start of, distance, surpass, defeat, conquer, vanquish, discomfit, euchre, overcome, overthrow, overpower, overmaster, overmatch, overset, override, overreach, outwit, outdo, outflank, outmaneuver, outgeneral, outvote, take the wind out of one's adversary's sails, beat, beat hollow, rout, lick, drub, floor, worst, put down, put to flight, put to the rout, put hors de combat, put out of court, silence, quell, nonsuit, checkmate, upset, confound, nonplus, stalemate, trump, baffle, circumvent, elude, trip up, trip up the heels of, drive into a corner, drive to the wall, run hard, put one's nose out of joint, settle, do for, break the neck of, break the back of, capsize, sink, shipwreck, drown, swamp, subdue, subjugate, reduce, make the enemy bite the dust, victimize, roll in the dust, trample under foot, put an extinguisher upon, answer, answer the purpose, avail, prevail, take effect, do, turn out well, work well, take, tell, bear fruit, hit it, hit the mark, hit the right nail on the head, nick it, turn up trumps, make a hit, find one's account in.

Consent

VB consent, assent, yield assent, admit, allow, concede, grant, yield, come round, come over, give into, acknowledge, agnize, give consent, comply with, acquiesce, agree to, fall in with, accede, accept, embrace an offer, close with, take at one's word, have no objection, satisfy, meet one's wishes, settle, come to terms, not refuse, turn a willing ear, jump at, deign, vouchsafe, promise.

Compact

VB contract, covenant, agree for, engage, treat, negotiate, stipulate, make terms, bargain, make a bargain, strike a bargain, come to terms, come to an understanding, compromise, set at rest, close, close with, conclude, complete, settle, confirm, ratify, clench, subscribe, underwrite, endorse, indorse, put the seal to, sign, seal, indent, take one at one's word, bargain by inch of candle.

Retention

VB retain, keep, hold fast one's own, hold tight one's own, hold fast one's ground, hold tight one's ground, clinch, clench, clutch, grasp, gripe, hug, have a firm hold of, secure, withhold, detain, hold back, keep back, keep close, husband, reserve, have in stock, have on hand, keep in stock, entail, tie up, settle.

Payment

VB pay, defray, make payment, paydown, pay on the nail, pay ready money, pay at sight, pay in advance, cash, honor a bill, acknowledge, redeem, pay in kind, pay one's way, pay one's shot, pay one's footing, pay the piper, pay sauce for all, pay costs, do the needful, shell out, fork out, cough up, fork over, come down with, come down with the dust, tickle the palm, grease the palm, expend, put down, lay down, discharge, settle, quit, acquit oneself of, foot the bill, account with, reckon with, settle with, be even with, be quits with, strike a balance, settle accounts with, balance accounts with, square accounts with, quit scores, wipe off old scores, clear off old scores, satisfy, pay in full, satisfy all demands, pay in full of all demands, clear, liquidate, pay up, pay old debts, disgorge, make repayment, repay, refund, reimburse, retribute, make compensation, pay by credit card, put it on the plastic.

Stability

VB be firm, stick fast, stand firm, keep firm, remain firm, weather the storm, stay the course, stick to the course, keep the faith, don't give in, don't buckle under, settle, establish, stablish, ascertain, fix, set, stabilitate, retain, keep hold, make good, make sure, fasten, set on its legs, float, perpetuate, settle down, strike roots, put down roots, take root, take up one's abode, build one's house on a rock.

Location

VB place, situate, locate, localize, make a place for, put, lay, set, seat, station, lodge, quarter, post, install, house, stow, establish, fix, pin, root, graft, plant, shelve, pitch, camp, lay down, deposit, reposit, cradle, moor, tether, picket, pack, tuck in, embed, imbed, vest, invest in, billet on, quarter upon, saddle with, load, lade, freight, pocket, put up, bag, inhabit, domesticate, colonize, take root, strike root, anchor, cast anchor, come to an anchor, sit down, settle down, settle, take up one's abode, take up one's quarters, plant oneself, establish oneself, locate oneself, squat, perch, hive, se nicher, bivouac, burrow, get a footing, encamp, pitch one's tent, put up at, put up one's horses at, keep house, endenizen, naturalize, adopt, put back, replace.

Support

N support, ground, foundation, base, basis, terra firma, bearing, fulcrum, bait, caudex crib, point d'appui, pou sto, purchase footing, hold, locus standi, landing place, landing stage, stage, platform, block, rest, resting place, groundwork, substratum, riprap, sustentation, subvention, floor, supporter, aid, prop, stand, anvil, fulciment, cue rest, jigger, monkey, stay, shore, skid, rib, truss, bandage, sleeper, stirrup, stilts, shoe, sole, heel, splint, lap, bar, rod, boom, sprit, outrigger, ratlings, staff, stick, crutch, alpenstock, baton, staddle, bourdon, cowlstaff, lathi, mahlstick, post, pillar, shaft, thill, column, pilaster, pediment, pedicle, pedestal, plinth, shank, leg, socle, zocle, buttress, jamb, mullion, abutment, baluster, banister, stanchion, balustrade, headstone, upright, door post, jamb, door jamb, frame, framework, scaffold, skeleton, beam, rafter, girder, lintel, joist, travis, trave, corner stone, summer, transom, rung, round, step, sill, angle rafter, hip rafter, cantilever, modillion, crown post, king post, vertebra, columella, backbone, keystone, axle, axletree, axis, arch, mainstay, trunnion, pivot, rowlock, peg, tiebeam, thole pin, board, ledge, shelf, hob, bracket, trevet, trivet, arbor, rack, mantel, mantle piece, mantleshelf, slab, console, counter, dresser, flange, corbel, table, trestle, shoulder, perch, horse, easel, desk, clotheshorse, hatrack, retable, teapoy, seat, throne, dais, divan, musnud, chair, bench, form, stool, sofa, settee, stall, arm chair, easy chair, elbow chair, rocking chair, couch, fauteuil, woolsack, ottoman, settle, squab, bench, aparejo, faldstool, horn, long chair, long sleeve chair, morris chair, lamba chauki, lamba kursi, saddle, pannel, pillion, side saddle, pack saddle, pommel, bed, berth, pallet, tester, crib, cot, hammock, shakedown, trucklebed, cradle, litter, stretcher, bedstead, four poster, French bed, bunk, kip, palang, bedding, bichhona, mattress, paillasse, pillow, bolster, mat, rug, cushion, footstool, hassock, tabouret, tripod, monopod, Atlas, Persides, Atlantes, Caryatides, Hercules, supporting, supported, fundamental, dorsigerous, astride on, straddle.

Quiescence

VB be quiescent, stand still, lie still, keep quiet, repose, hold the breath, remain, stay, stand, lie to, ride at anchor, remain in situ, tarry, mark time, bring to, heave to, lay to, pull up, draw up, hold, halt, stop, stop short, rest, pause, anchor, cast to an anchor, come to an anchor, rest on one's oars, repose on one's laurels, take breath, stop, stagnate, quieta non movere, let alone, abide, rest and be thankful, keep within doors, stay at home, go to bed, dwell, settle, alight, stick, stick fast, stand like a post, not stir a peg, not stir a step, be at a stand, quell, becalm, hush, stay, lull to sleep, lay an embargo on.

Descent

VB descend, go down, drop down, come down, fall, gravitate, drop, slip, slide, rappel, settle, plunge, plummet, crash, decline, set, sink, droop, come down a peg, slump, dismount, alight, light, get down, swoop, stoop, fall prostrate, precipitate oneself, let fall, tumble, trip, stumble, titubate, lurch, pitch, swag, topple, topple over, tumble over, topple down, tumble down, tilt, sprawl, plump down, come down a cropper.

Killing

VB kill, put to death, slay, shed blood, murder, assassinate, butcher, slaughter, victimize, immolate, massacre, take away life, deprive of life, make away with, put an end to, despatch, dispatch, burke, settle, do for, strangle, garrote, hang, throttle, choke, stifle, suffocate, stop the breath, smother, asphyxiate, drown, saber, cut down, cut to pieces, cut the throat, jugulate, stab, run through the body, bayonet, eviscerate, put to the sword, put to the edge of the sword, shoot dead, blow one's brains out, brain, knock on the head, stone, lapidate, give a deathblow, deal a deathblow, give a quietus, give a coupe de grace, behead, bowstring, electrocute, gas, hunt, shoot, cut off, nip in the bud, launch into eternity, send to one's last account, sign one's death warrant, strike the death knell of, give no quarter, pour out blood like water, decimate, run amuck, wade knee deep in blood, imbrue one's hands in blood, die a violent death, welter in one's blood, dash out one's brains, blow out one's brains, commit suicide, kill oneself, make away with oneself, put an end to oneself, put an end to it all.

Judgment

VB judge, conclude, come to a conclusion, draw a conclusion, arrive at a conclusion, ascertain, determine, make up one's mind, deduce, derive, gather, collect, draw an inference, make a deduction, weet, ween, form an estimate, estimate, appreciate, value, count, assess, rate, rank, account, regard, consider, think of, look upon, review, size up, settle, pass an opinion, give an opinion, decide, try, pronounce, rule, pass judgment, pass sentence, sentence, doom, find, give judgment, deliver judgment, adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, award, report, bring in a verdict, make absolute, set a question at rest, confirm, comment, criticize, kibitz, pass under review, investigate, hold the scales, sit in judgment, try judgment, hear a cause.