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Glite Dictionary
settling

settling

10 4.3
A slow sinking of things to a lower level, like a building foundation or dust on furniture
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛtəlɪŋ/
translation icon : asentamiento
  • The port allows a small stream of mixed liquor to continuously feed into the settling ditch.
  • settling tank
  • settling of solids
  • settling of accounts

So part of that was a theory of drop settling.

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Examples

  • The engineer explained that settling can cause structural issues in older buildings over time.

  • In practical application on the farm, solids settling, scum formation, and grit removal often presented major problems.

    Academic text (2000)

  • I do feel like the foundation is settling in just a little bit right now, so that's good.

  • Extremely low channel velocities may result in the settling of solids in the channel ahead of the screen.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The water level remains constant, and effluent discharge is continuous from the settling phases of the operation.

    Academic text (2000)

  • There is a perceptible relaxation then, an audible settling back into chairs, as Miss Elena resumes her reading.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • As the ground is settling after the heavy rain, we noticed cracks forming in the driveway.

  • After the recent earthquake, the settling of the soil led to noticeable changes in several homes.

Synonyms

descent
vssettling
89 3.7

A movement down from a higher place to a lower place or a slope that goes down

focuses on gradual natural lowering rather than any simple downward move
sinking
vssettling
3 4.4

A slow fall in strength, value, or mood

refers to physical gradual lowering of ground or objects rather than metaphorical decline
subsidence
vssettling
  • Specialized
2 8.5

The sinking of land or a building into the ground

highlights slow natural lowering rather than sudden drops
sedimentation
vssettling
  • Specialized
2 6.0

Small solid pieces settle and build up at the bottom of a liquid

applies more widely to natural lowering not limited to particles in liquids
subsiding
vssettling
  • Specialized
7.0

The ground or a surface slowly sinks to a lower level

is about a gradual natural process of going lower through physical causes
sinkage
vssettling
  • Specialized
7.4

How far things sink into ground or water

focuses on gradual natural lowering rather than just measuring amount

Antonyms

rising
41 3.4

An upward movement to a higher position

floating
6 1.6

The act of staying on the surface of water without sinking

How Settled

consolidation
  • Specialized
1 6.7
sedimentation
  • Specialized
2 6.0
settling
10 4.3
suspension
  • Specialized
6 5.7

Surface Forms

settling singular
settlings plural

Morphology

settling = settle (transparent) = settle + ing

The noun denotes the process or result of the verb 'settle' with the standard '-ing' nominalization, so its meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Settling comes from settle, which originally meant 'to make sit' and is linked to the idea of a seat' where something rests. So settling is when things slowly 'sit down' or sink to a lower level, which is why we talk about the settling of soil or a building.