subsidence


subsidence (http://definr.com/subsidence)

     n 1: an abatement in intensity or degree (as in the
          manifestations of a disease); "his cancer is in
          remission" [syn: remission, remittal]
     2: a gradual sinking to a lower level [syn: settling, subsiding]
     3: the sudden collapse of something into a hollow beneath it
        [syn: cave in]