subside Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb wear off or die down
    lessen.
    • The pain subsided
  2. verb sink to a lower level or form a depression
    • the valleys subside
  3. verb sink down or precipitate
    settle.
    • the mud subsides when the waters become calm
  4. verb descend into or as if into some soft substance or place
    sink.
    • He sank into bed
    • She subsided into the chair

WordNet

Sub*side" intransitive verb
Etymology
L. subsidere; sub under, below + sidere to sit down, to settle; akin to sedere to sit, E. sit. See Sit.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Subsided; present participle & verbal noun Subsiding
Definitions
  1. To sink or fall to the bottom; to settle, as lees.
  2. To tend downward; to become lower; to descend; to sink. "Heaven's subsiding hill." Dryden.
  3. To fall into a state of quiet; to cease to rage; to be calmed; to settle down; to become tranquil; to abate; as, the sea subsides; the tumults of war will subside; the fever has subsided. "In cases of danger, pride and envy naturally subside." C. Middleton. Syn. -- See Abate.

Webster 1913