The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Settle \Set"tle\, n. [OE. setel, setil, a seat, AS. setl: akin
   to OHG. sezzal, G. sessel, Goth. sitls, and E. sit.
   [root]154. See Sit.]
   1. A seat of any kind. [Obs.] "Upon the settle of his
      majesty" --Hampole.
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   2. A bench; especially, a bench with a high back.
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   3. A place made lower than the rest; a wide step or platform
      lower than some other part.
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            And from the bottom upon the ground, even to the
            lower settle, shall be two cubits, and the breadth
            one cubit.                            --Ezek. xliii.
                                                  14.
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   Settle bed, a bed convertible into a seat. [Eng.]
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