6. To cause to sink; to lower; to depress; hence, also, to render close or compact; as, to settle the contents of a barrel or bag by shaking it.
7. To determine, as something which is exposed to doubt or question; to free from unscertainty or wavering; to make sure, firm, or constant; to establish; to compose; to quiet; as, to settle the mind when agitated; to settle questions of law; to settle the succession to a throne; to settle an allowance. It will settle the wavering, and confirm the doubtful. Swift.
8. To adjust, as something in discussion; to make up; to compose; to pacify; as, to settle a quarrel.
9. To adjust, as accounts; to liquidate; to balance; as, to settle an account.
10. Hence, to pay; as, to settle a bill. [Colloq.] Abbott.
11. To plant with inhabitants; to colonize; to people; as, the French first settled Canada; the Puritans settled New England; Plymouth was settled in 1620. To settle on or upon, to confer upon by permanent grant; to assure to. "I . . . have settled upon him a good annuity." Addison. — To settle the land (Naut.), to cause it to sink, or appear lower, by receding from it.
Syn. — To fix; establish; regulate; arrange; compose; adjust; determine; decide.
SETTLE
Set"tle, v. i.
1. To become fixed or permanent; to become stationary; to establish one's self or itself; to assume a lasting form, condition, direction, or the like, in place of a temporary or changing state. The wind came about and settled in the west. Bacon. Chyle . . . runs through all the intermediate colors until it settles in an intense red. Arbuthnot.
2. To fix one's residence; to establish a dwelling place or home; as, the Saxons who settled in Britain.