The spelling of the phrase "settling upon" reflects its pronunciation, which is /ˈsɛt.lɪŋ əˈpɒn/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet. The first word, "settling," is spelled with a double "t" to indicate the doubled consonant sound in the middle of the word. The second word, "upon," is spelled with a single "p" to indicate the unvoiced plosive sound at the beginning of the word. This spelling system helps to accurately convey the sound of the phrase in written form.
"Settling upon" is a phrasal verb that refers to the act of reaching a decision or making a choice after careful consideration or thought. It often implies a process of evaluating different options or alternatives before finally deciding on one.
To settle upon something means to establish or determine it as the final choice or course of action, typically achieving a sense of resolution or certainty. It involves finding a solution or making up one's mind about a particular matter, whether it be a problem, a plan of action, a destination, or even a personal preference.
The term "settling upon" can also imply an element of compromise or acceptance, as it suggests the decision-maker has weighed the pros and cons and ultimately made their selection with a certain level of satisfaction, even if it may not be the ideal or perfect choice.
Moreover, "settling upon" can denote a sense of commitment or fixing upon a decision, indicating that the chosen option will be pursued or executed without further hesitation or doubt.
Overall, "settling upon" conveys the act of arriving at a decision after thoughtful consideration, with an implication of finality, commitment, and a reasonable degree of contentment with the chosen option.
The word "settling upon" does not have a separate etymology as it is actually a combination of two separate words, "settling" and "upon".
The word "settling" comes from the Middle English word "setlen", which means "to make a place to sit". It is derived from the Old English word "setlan". Over time, "setlen" evolved into "settle" and took on various meanings, including "to establish", "to arrange", or "to agree upon".
The word "upon" is derived from the Old English preposition "uppan", which means "on, to, toward". This word has Indo-European origins and is related to other Germanic languages such as Old Norse "upp á" and German "auf".
When these two words are combined, "settling upon" generally means "agreeing upon" or "choosing".