Definition of the word settle for

The origin of the word "settle for" can be traced back to the mid-1500s in the English language. At that time, the word "settle" meant "to come to a conclusion or agreement" as well as "to establish as a place to live permanently." The verb "for" was used to specify a proposed or alternative action to the main course of action, starting around the year 1200. The expression "settle for" emerged as a result of combining these two English concepts. Initially, it referred to accepting a lower or less desirable outcome as a consolation instead of pursuing something more ideal or preferred. This meaning can be seen in historical texts, such as a 1555 citation: "For he can neuer come in mynde, bot I wat though he $$shoft me al," which implies settling for someone less desirable due to practicality or inability to pursue a higher preference. Today, "settle for" is widely used in modern English, conveying both an action's abandonment or sacrifice and a willingness to accept a compromise for certain reasons - it may no longer represent the initial meaning of settling as an adjunct to settlement, but it still reflects its original linguistic concepts.