n. The act of settling, or the state of being settled.n. Establishment in life; especially, establishment in a business or profession or in the married state.n. The act of colonizing or peopling; colonization: as, the settlement of a new country.n. The ordination or installation of a minister over a church or congregation.n. Adjustment of af fairs, as the public affairs of a nation, with special reference to questions of succession to the throne, relations of church and state, etc.; also, the state of affairs as thus adjusted. Compare the phrase Act of Settlement, below.n. In law:n. The conveyance of property or the creation of estates therein to make future provision for one or more beneficiaries, usually of the family of the creator of the settlement, in such manner as to secure to them different interests, or to secure their expectancies in a different manner, from what would be done by a mere conveyance or by the statutes of descent and distribution. (See strict.)n. A bestowing or granting under legal sanction; the act of conferring anything in a formal and permanent manner.n. A settled place of abode; residence; a right arising out of residence; legal residence or establishment of a person in a particular parish or town, which entitles him to maintenance if a pauper, and pledges the parish or town to his support.n. A tract of country newly peopled or settled; a colony, especially a colony in its earlier stages: as, the British settlements in Australia; a back settlement.n. In sparsely settled regions of the United States, especially in the South, a small village, as opposed to scattered houses.n. That which settles or subsides; sediment; dregs; lees; settlings.n. In building, etc., a subsidence or sinking, as of a wall or part of a wall, or the effect of such subsidence, often producing a cracked or unstable condition, binding or disadjustment of doors or shutters, etc.n. A sum of money formerly allowed to a pastor in addition to his regular salary.n. A pastor's homestead as furnished by a parish, by a gift either of land, with or with out buildings, or of money to be applied for its purchase.n. The act or process of determining or deciding; the removal or reconciliation of differences or doubts; the liquidation of a claim or account; adjustment; arrangement: as, the settlement of a controversy; the settlement of a debt.n. In pathology, determinate nosological position.