subsidence

Meanings

1. The process of becoming less active or severe.
2. A sinking of something to a lower level, especially of part of the surface of the Earth due to underground excavation, seismic activity or underground or ground water depletion, or the rocks in a geological basin, due to continued deposition from above.

Etymology

Latin subsidens, subsidentis, present participle of subsidere. Equivalent to subside + -ence.