end argument
1 to put an end to an argument or a disagreement:
[VN] to settle a dispute / an argument / a matter * It's time you settled your differences with your father. * I want this thing settled. * [V] There is pressure on the unions to settle. * The company has agreed to settle out of court (= come to an agreement without going to court).
decide / arrange
2 to decide or arrange sth finally: [VN] [oftenpassive] It's all settled-we're leaving on the nine o'clock plane. * Good, that's settled, then. * (spoken) Bob will be there? That settles it. I'm not coming. * He had to settle his affairs (= arrange all his personal business) in Paris before he could return home. [also VNthat]
choose permanent home
3 [V+adv./prep.] to make a place your permanent home:
She settled in Vienna after her father's death.
4 (of a group of people) to make your permanent home in a country or an area as COLONISTS: [VN] [usuallypassive] This region was settled by the Dutch in the nineteenth century. [also V]
into comfortable position / state
5 ~ (back) to make yourself or sb else comfortable in a new position:
[V] Ellie settled back in her seat. * [VN] He settled himself comfortably in his usual chair. * I settled her on the sofa and put a blanket over her.
6 [VN+adv./prep.] to put sth carefully in a position so that it does not move:
She settled the blanket around her knees.
7 to become or make sb/sth become calm or relaxed:
[V] The baby wouldn't settle. * [VN] I took a pill to help settle my nerves. * This should settle your stomach.
come to rest
8 [V] ~ (on / over sth) to fall from above and come to rest on sth; to stay for some time on sth:
Dust had settled on everything. * Two birds settled on the fence. * I don't think the snow will settle (= remain on the ground without melting). * His gaze settled on her face.
sink down
9 to sink slowly down; to make sth do this:
[V] The contents of the package may have settled in transit. [also VN]
pay money
10 ~ sth
