settling noun. ['sɛtlɪŋ] OE.
[from SETTLE verb + -ING¹.]
1. A sitting down. Also, the setting of the sun. Only in OE.

2. gen. The action of SETTLE verb; an instance of this. Also foll. by down, in, up, etc. LME.
■ W. R. Burnett Scrupulous about settling her bill on the dot. Times A subterranean movement caused mainly by the settling of strata disturbed by mining activity. Wireless World Free air travel will be provided..and a 'settling in' allowance will also be paid on arrival.
■ A. Brookner Women seemed more restless these days, less attracted by the prospect of settling down.

3. sing. & (usu.) in pl. Sediment, lees, dregs. L16.

Comb.:
settling day a day appointed for settling accounts; spec. the fortnightly pay-day on the Stock Exchange; settling time Engineering the time taken for a measuring or control instrument to get within a certain distance of a new equilibrium value without subsequently deviating from it by that amount.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲