set·tle

(sĕt′l)

v. set·tled, set·tling, set·tles

v.tr.

1. To end or resolve (a dispute, for example) by making a decision or coming to an agreement. See Synonyms at decide.

2. Law

a. To resolve (a lawsuit or dispute) by mutual agreement of the parties rather than by court decision.

b. To make the determinations and distributions of (a trust).

a. To make compensation for (a claim).

b. To pay (a debt).

a. To put into order; arrange as desired: settle one's affairs.

b. To place or arrange in a desired position: settled the blanket over the baby; settled herself in an armchair.

c. To agree to or fix in advance: settled the date of the meeting in June.

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

b. To migrate to and establish residence in; colonize: Pioneers settled the West.

c. To establish in a residence, business, or profession: was finally settled in his own law practice.

6. To restore calmness or comfort to: The hot tea settled his nerves.

a. To cause to sink, become compact, or come to rest: shook the box to settle the raffle tickets.

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

v.intr.

1. To discontinue moving and come to rest in one place: The ball settled in the grass near the green.

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

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.

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; decide: We finally settled on a solution to the problem.

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

a. To provide compensation for a claim.

b. To pay a debt.

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.

Idioms:

settle (one's) stomach

To relieve one's indigestion or nausea.

settle (someone's) hash Slang

To silence or subdue.

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

set′tle·a·ble adj.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

settle for

(intr, preposition) to accept or agree to in spite of dispute or dissatisfaction

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Translations

w>settle for

vi +prep obj → sich zufriedengeben mit; I’d settle for a diamond necklace → ich wäre schon mit einem Diamanthalsband zufrieden; I think I’ll settle for this one → ich glaube, ich nehme doch das da; she won’t settle for anything less → mit weniger gibt sie sich nicht zufrieden; he was glad to settle for a bronze medal → er war schon mit einer Bronzemedaille zufrieden

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007