verb (used without object), sub·sid·ed, sub·sid·ing.
- to sink to a low or lower level.
- to become quiet, less active, or less violent; abate: The laughter subsided.
- to sink or fall to the bottom; settle; precipitate: to cause coffee grounds to subside.
verb (intr)
- to become less loud, excited, violent, etc; abate
- to sink or fall to a lower level
- (of the surface of the earth, etc) to cave in; collapse
- (of sediment, etc) to sink or descend to the bottom; settle
v.1680s, “to sink to the bottom,” from Latin subsidere “settle, sink, sit down or remain,” from sub “down” (see sub-) + sidere “to settle,” related to sedere (see sedentary). Meaning “to sink to a lower level, be reduced” is from 1706. Related: Subsided; subsiding.