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settle down

   Also found in: Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
set·tle  (stl)
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.
3.
a. To establish as a resident or residents: settled her family in Ohio.
b. To establish residence in; colonize: Pioneers settled the West.
c. To establish in a residence, business, or profession.
4. To restore calmness or comfort to.
5.
a. To cause to sink, become compact, or come to rest.
b. To cause (a liquid) to become clear by forming a sediment.
6. To subdue or make orderly.
7. To establish on a permanent basis; stabilize.
8.
a. To make compensation for (a claim).
b. 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.
3.
a. To become clear by the sinking of suspended particles. Used of liquids.
b. To be separated from a solution or mixture as a sediment.
c. To become compact by sinking, as sediment when stirred up.
4.
a. To establish one's residence: settled in Canada.
b. To become established or localized: The cold settled in my chest.
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.
7.
a. To provide compensation for a claim.
b. 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.
settle for
To accept in spite of incomplete satisfaction: had to settle for a lower wage than the one requested.
Idiom:
settle (one's) stomach
To relieve one's indigestion or nausea.

[Middle English setlen, to seat, from Old English setlan, from setl, seat; see sed- in Indo-European roots.]

settle·a·ble adj.

settle down
Verb
1. to make or become quiet and orderly
2. settle down to to remove all distractions and concentrate on: we settled down to a favourite movie
3. to adopt an orderly and routine way of life, esp. after marriage
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Verb1.settle down - settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground; "dust settled on the roofs"
lay, place, put, set, position, pose - put into a certain place or abstract location; "Put your things here"; "Set the tray down"; "Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children"; "Place emphasis on a certain point"
sediment - settle as sediment
2.settle down - become settled or established and stable in one's residence or life style; "He finally settled down"
stabilise, stabilize - become stable or more stable; "The economy stabilized"
roost - settle down or stay, as if on a roost
3.settle down - become quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation; "After the fight both men need to cool off."; "It took a while after the baby was born for things to settle down again."
change state, turn - undergo a transformation or a change of position or action; "We turned from Socialism to Capitalism"; "The people turned against the President when he stole the election"

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
At every jump too, Hands appeared still more to sink into himself and settle down upon the deck, his feet sliding ever the farther out, and the whole body canting towards the stern, so that his face became, little by little, hid from me; and at last I could see nothing beyond his ear and the frayed ringlet of one whisker.
Shelby and all his tribe, because they are proud, and hold their heads up above him, and that I've got proud notions from you; and he says he won't let me come here any more, and that I shall take a wife and settle down on his place.
my very dear brother, I should like to settle down to a better life.
 
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