Noun:

1. a gradual sinking to a lower level

settlementn.解决；结算；协议；安置；殖民；定居

decisiveadj.决定性的；果断的

completionn.完成；结束

subsidencen.沉淀；下沉；陷没

subsidingvi.沉没；平息；下陷

1. He kicked about a great deal before settling down.
   他东奔西走了好久才定居下来。
2. Settling the dispute needed a diplomatic master-stroke.
   要解决这一争端需有高明的手腕。
3. The malaria-carrying mosquito is honoured in Sierra Leone today for making the country the "white man's grave" in the past and preventing Europeans settling there.
   塞拉利昂的疟蚊，由于它过去曾使这个国家成为“白人的坟墓”, 使欧洲人无法在此定居，如今受到了人们的赞誉。
4. The government's announcement is seen as a move towards settling the strike.
   政府的通告已被视为迈向解决罢工问题的一步。