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settle down

 - 6 dictionary results

set⋅tle

1  [set-l] verb, -tled, -tling.
Use settle down in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to appoint, fix, or resolve definitely and conclusively; agree upon (as time, price, or conditions).
2. to place in a desired state or in order: to settle one's affairs.
3. to pay, as a bill.
4. to close (an account) by payment.
5. to migrate to and organize (an area, territory, etc.); colonize: The pilgrims settled Plymouth.
6. to cause to take up residence: They settled immigrants in urban areas.
7. to furnish (a place) with inhabitants or settlers: The French settled this colony with army veterans.
8. to quiet, calm, or bring to rest (the nerves, stomach, etc.).
9. to stop from annoying or opposing: A sharp word will settle that youngster.
10. to conclude or resolve: to settle a dispute.
11. to make stable; place in a permanent position or on a permanent basis.
12. to cause (a liquid) to become clear by depositing dregs.
13. to cause (dregs, sediment, etc.) to sink or be deposited.
14. to cause to sink down gradually; make firm or compact.
15. to dispose of finally; close up: to settle an estate.
16. Law.
a. to secure (property, title, etc.) on or to a person by formal or legal process.
b. to terminate (legal proceedings) by mutual consent of the parties.
–verb (used without object)
17. to decide, arrange, or agree (often fol. by on or upon): to settle on a plan of action.
18. to arrange matters in dispute; come to an agreement: to settle with a person.
19. to pay a bill; make a financial arrangement (often fol. by up).
20. to take up residence in a new country or place: Many Frenchmen settled along the Mississippi River following La Salle's explorations.
21. to come to rest, as from flight: A bird settled on a bough.
22. to gather, collect, or become fixed in a particular place, direction, etc.: A cold settled in my head.
23. to become calm or composed (often fol. by down): I'll wait until the class settles before starting the lesson.
24. to come to rest (often fol. by down): We settled down for the night at an old country inn.
25. to sink down gradually; subside.
26. to become clear by the sinking of suspended particles, as a liquid.
27. to sink to the bottom, as sediment.
28. to become firm or compact, as the ground.
29. (of a female animal) to become pregnant; conceive.
—Verb phrases
30. settle down,
a. to become established in some routine, esp. upon marrying, after a period of independence or indecision.
b. to become calm or quiet.
c. to apply oneself to serious work: There were so many distractions that we weren't able to settle down to studying.
31. settle for, to be satisfied with: to settle for less.
32. settle into, to become established in: to settle into a new routine.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME set(t)len, OE setlan (attested once) to place, deriv. of setl settle 2 ; cf. D zetelen

Related forms:
set⋅tle⋅a⋅ble, adjective
set⋅tle⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun
set⋅tled⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. set, establish. 4. liquidate. 6. relocate. 7. people, colonize. 9. tranquilize, compose, still, pacify. 11. stabilize, establish, confirm. 20. locate, relocate. 25. decline, fall, abate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To settle down
set·tle   (sět'l)   
v.   set·tled, set·tling, set·tles

v.   tr.

  1. To put into order; arrange or fix definitely as desired.

  2. To put firmly into a desired position or place; establish.

    1. To establish as a resident or residents: settled her family in Ohio.

    2. To establish residence in; colonize: Pioneers settled the West.

    3. To establish in a residence, business, or profession.

    4. To cause to sink, become compact, or come to rest.

    5. To cause (a liquid) to become clear by forming a sediment.

    6. To make compensation for (a claim).

    7. To pay (a debt).

  4. To restore calmness or comfort to.

    1. To cause to sink, become compact, or come to rest.

    2. To cause (a liquid) to become clear by forming a sediment.

    3. To make compensation for (a claim).

    4. To pay (a debt).

  6. To subdue or make orderly.

  7. To establish on a permanent basis; stabilize.

    1. To make compensation for (a claim).

    2. To pay (a debt).

  9. To conclude (a dispute, for example) by a final decision.

  10. To decide (a lawsuit) by mutual agreement of the involved parties without court action.

  11. Law To secure or assign (property or title) by legal action.

v.   intr.

  1. To discontinue moving and come to rest in one place.

  2. To move downward; sink or descend, especially gradually: Darkness settled over the fields. Dust settled in the road.

    1. To become clear by the sinking of suspended particles. Used of liquids.

    2. To be separated from a solution or mixture as a sediment.

    3. To become compact by sinking, as sediment when stirred up.

    4. To establish one's residence: settled in Canada.

    5. To become established or localized: The cold settled in my chest.

    6. To provide compensation for a claim.

    7. To pay a debt.

    1. To establish one's residence: settled in Canada.

    2. To become established or localized: The cold settled in my chest.

    3. To provide compensation for a claim.

    4. To pay a debt.

  5. To reach a decision; determine: We finally settled on a solution to the problem. See Synonyms at decide.

  6. To come to an agreement, especially to resolve a lawsuit out of court.

    1. To provide compensation for a claim.

    2. To pay a debt.

n.  
A long wooden bench with a high back, often including storage space beneath the seat.
Phrasal Verbs:
settle down

  1. To begin living a stable and orderly life: He settled down as a farmer with a family.

  2. To become calm or composed.

Phrasal Verb(s):
settle down

  1. To begin living a stable and orderly life: He settled down as a farmer with a family.

  2. To become calm or composed.

settle forTo accept in spite of incomplete satisfaction: had to settle for a lower wage than the one requested.

Idiom(s):
settle (one's) stomachTo relieve one's indigestion or nausea.

[Middle English setlen, to seat, from Old English setlan, from setl, seat; see sed- in Indo-European roots.]
set'tle·a·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Financial Dictionary

settle

To complete a securities transaction.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: set·tle
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: set·tled; set·tling
transitive verb 1 : to resolve conclusively <settle a question of law>
2 : to establish or secure permanently settled legal principle>
3 : CLOSE <settle the sale of securities> <settle the estate>
4 : to resolve a disagreement about (a court order) settle the order had been conducted —Saba v. Gray, 314 North Western Reporter, Second Series 597 (1981)>
5 a : to fix (a price) by mutual agreement b : to conclude (a lawsuit) by entering into an agreement negotiated by the parties usually out of court c : to close (as an account) by payment; also : to close by compromise and payment of less than the full amount claimed or due intransitive verb 1 : to conclude a lawsuit by entering into an agreement settle out of court>
2 : to make a settlement of a transfer of funds
3 : to adjust differences or accounts <settled with his creditors>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: set·tle
Pronunciation: 'set-&l
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: set·tled; set·tling
transitivesenses
, of an animal : IMPREGNATE 1a settle intransitive senses
, of ananimal : CONCEIVE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

settle down

  1. Begin living a stable, orderly life; also, marry. For example, After traveling all over the world for years, he decided to settle down in his home town, or Her parents wished she would settle down and raise a family. [Early 1600s]

  2. Become calm, less nervous, or less restless, as in Come on, children, it's time to settle down. [Mid-1800s]

  3. Apply oneself seriously, as in If you don't settle down to your homework, you'll never get it done. [First half of 1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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