Subsiding: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• 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.

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.

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.

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• 24222 inched
• 24223 jointing
• 24224 refuting
• 24225 subsiding
• 24226 leveraging
• 24227 sidereal
• 24228 repetitious
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