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Subsiding Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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subsiding

[səbˈsaɪdɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

decrease, decline

Subsiding refers to the process of sinking or settling down to a lower level. In various contexts, it can indicate a reduction in intensity or severity, such as the subsiding of a storm or pain.

Synonyms

abating, diminishing, receding, waning.

Examples of usage

  • The floodwaters are slowly subsiding after the heavy rain.
  • Her anxiety began subsiding once she spoke to her friend.
  • The noise from the construction site has subsided significantly.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Natural Sciences

  • When a volcano erupts, the ground can start subsiding as magma empties out from underground.
  • In geology, subsiding can cause changes in landscapes, leading to the formation of valleys or basins over time.

Environment

  • In areas of heavy rainfall, the ground can subsist due to erosion, where soil washes away, leaving space for sinking.
  • Subsiding land can lead to flooding in some urban areas, especially if built on soft soil or near water bodies.

Psychology

  • Emotional states can also subside; after a stressful event, feelings might eventually become less intense.
  • Therapists often help clients understand how feelings of sadness can subside over time through coping strategies.

Cultural References

  • In literature, characters often undergo emotional turmoil that subsides as they find resolution in their conflicts.
  • The concept of subsiding can also appear in music, where a large crescendo might gradually subside back to silence.

Origin of 'subsiding'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'subsidere', which means 'to settle down' or 'to sink down'.
  • In Old French, it was used to describe the act of sinking or dropping down gradually.

The term 'subsiding' originates from the Latin word 'subsidere', which means 'to sit down' or 'to sink down'. This word is composed of 'sub-', meaning 'under', and 'sidere', which translates to 'to sit'. The use of 'subsiding' has evolved over time in the English language, appearing in various contexts such as geology, meteorology, and everyday language to describe a decrease in activity or a physical settling. Its first recorded use in English dates back to the 15th century, and over the centuries, the term has expanded to encompass various meanings across different disciplines. The idea of something 'subsiding' can be applied to both physical and metaphorical contexts, capturing the essence of reduction, decline, or coming down from a heightened state.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,225, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.