subsidence
/səb'saidəns/
Definition
Noun 1. A gradual sinking or settling of the ground or a structure to a lower level. This is often caused by the removal of underground support, such as water or minerals. 2. A gradual decrease in the intensity, force, or severity of something. This can refer to physical phenomena (like a flood) or abstract concepts (like symptoms or conflict).
Examples of Usage
- Referring to ground movement:
- The subsidence of the old mine caused cracks to appear in the road above.
- Insurance companies are concerned about property damage due to land subsidence.
- Referring to a decrease in intensity:
- After the heavy rains stopped, the subsidence of the floodwaters began.
- Doctors noted the subsidence of the patient's fever.
Advanced Usage
- Technical/Geological Context: In geology and civil engineering, "subsidence" precisely describes the downward vertical movement of the Earth's surface. It is a key term in discussions about soil compaction, aquifer depletion, and mining.
- The study focused on coastal subsidence and its contribution to relative sea-level rise.
- Medical/Literary Context: While less common than "remission," "subsidence" can be used formally to describe the abatement of disease symptoms or emotional intensity.
- The novel describes the gradual subsidence of the protagonist's grief over time.
Variants and Related Words
- Subside (verb): The action from which the noun "subsidence" is derived. It means to sink, settle, or become less intense.
- The floodwaters will subside in a few days.
- Her anger began to subside.
- Subsiding (adjective/participle): In the process of sinking or decreasing.
- They waited for the subsiding storm.
Synonyms
- For sinking/settling: Sinking, settling, collapse, cave-in, downturn.
- For decrease in intensity: Abatement, diminution, decline, ebbing, remission, waning.
Related Phrases
- Land subsidence: A specific term for the sinking of the ground surface.
- Excessive groundwater pumping is a major cause of land subsidence.
- Subsidence damage: Damage to buildings or infrastructure caused by ground movement.
- The homeowner filed a claim for subsidence damage.
Noun
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the sudden collapse of something into a hollow beneath it
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a gradual sinking to a lower level
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an abatement in intensity or degree (as in the manifestations of a disease)
-
his cancer is in remission
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