Main Entry:

¹dis·solve

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈzälv, -ˈzȯlv also -ˈzäv or -ˈzȯv\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin dissolvere, from dis- + solvere to loosen — more at solve

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 a: to cause to disperse or disappear : destroy <do not dissolve and deface the laws of charity — Francis Bacon> b: to separate into component parts : disintegrate c: to bring to an end : terminate <dissolve parliament> d: annul <dissolve an injunction>2 a: to cause to pass into solution <dissolve sugar in water> b: melt, liquefy c: to cause to be emotionally moved d: to cause to fade in or out in a dissolve3archaic : detach, loosen4: to clear up <dissolve a problem>intransitive verb1 a: to become dissipated or decomposed b: break up, disperse c: to fade away2 a: to become fluid : melt b: to pass into solution c: to be overcome emotionally <dissolved into tears> d: to resolve itself as if by dissolution <hate dissolved into fear> e: to change by a dissolve <the scene dissolves to a Victorian parlor>

— dis·solv·able \-ˈzäl-və-bəl, -ˈzȯl-\ adjective

— dis·sol·vent \-ˈzäl-vənt, -ˈzȯl-\ noun or adjective

— dis·solv·er noun