settle English · revision 5740

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1000}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈset.əl/, US /ˈset̬.əl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The verb is [[inh|enm|setlen]], [[inh|ang|setlan|t=to place in a fixed position, to seat]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|ang|setl|t=a seat]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) which also gave the noun settle, a bench.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) Old English setl is from [[gem-pro|*setlą]], which also gave Dutch zetel, German Sessel and Gothic sitls,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from PIE *sedla-, from the root [[ine-pro|*sed-|t=to sit]];^(Etymonline) it is related to Latin sella “seat, saddle”, to [[saddle]] and to [[sit]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The noun setl, a seat, position or abode, is in ''Beowulf'' about 725;^(Barnhart 1988) the verb, to seat or put in a place of rest, is from about 1000.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To come to rest after flying, of birds, is from before 1300,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and of ground, to sink, from the early 14th century.^(Etymonline) Of liquids, to become clear as sediment sinks, is from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) A person's becoming calm is from the 1520s,^(Etymonline) to decide or fix on something from 1621,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and to make one's home, especially in a new country, from 1627, with ''to colonize'' by 1702.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) To secure property by deed is from the 1660s,^(Etymonline) and to resolve a dispute by agreement developed from the 16th century;^(Hoad 1986) Etymonline suggests that this sense merged with Middle English sahtlen “to reconcile”, from Old Norse.^(Etymonline) ''Settle down'', of a married couple, is by 1835.^(Etymonline) The noun settle, a long wooden bench with a high back, is from 1553.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) ''Settlement'' is from 1626, a colony from 1697.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – setl, a seat.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1000 – to seat.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1300 – to come to rest.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1553 – a settle, a bench.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1621 – to decide.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1627 – to make a home.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1702 – to colonize.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To come to rest, or to put in a comfortable or steady position.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To resolve a [[dispute]] or decide a question.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To pay a [[bill]] or debt.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make a home in a place; to [[colonize]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To become or make calm: ''to settle one's nerves''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To sink, or to clear by the sinking of particles.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(settle down)'' To adopt a quieter, more regular life.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A long wooden [[bench]] with a high back and arms.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[settleable]]

+ * [[settleability]]

+ * [[settledness]]

+ * [[presettle]]

+ * [[settee]]

+ * [[unsettle]]

+ * [[settlor]]

+ * [[resettle]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[settlement]]

+ * [[settler]]

+ * [[saddle]]

+ * [[sit]]

+ * [[sedentary]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}