settled
UK: ˈsɛt(ə)ld | US: ˈsɛt(ə)ld
adj. 1. established or fixed in a stable or permanent state.
adj. 2. resolved or concluded (e.g., a dispute).
v. (past tense of "settle") 1. to resolve or reach an agreement.
v. 2. to establish a home or community in a new place.
The word "settled" derives from the Old English "setlan," meaning "to seat, place, or put in order," which evolved into Middle English "settlen" with the sense of "to establish firmly." The suffix "-ed" marks it as a past participle or adjective, indicating a completed action or state. The root "settle" reflects the idea of stability or resolution, whether physically (e.g., settling land) or abstractly (e.g., settling a debate). Over time, "settled" came to describe both the act of establishing permanence and the resulting state of being resolved.
After years of travel, they finally settled in a quiet village.
The court settled the dispute fairly.
Her nerves settled once the presentation began.
The dust settled after the construction work ended.
He felt settled in his new job after six months.