melt

¹melt

verb \ˈmelt\

Definition of MELT

intransitive verb

1

: to become altered from a solid to a liquid state usually by heat

2

a : dissolve, disintegrate <the sugar melted in the coffee>

b : to disappear as if by dissolving <her anger melted at his kind words>

3

obsolete : to become subdued or crushed (as by sorrow)

4

: to become mild, tender, or gentle

5

: to lose outline or distinctness : blend

transitive verb

1

: to reduce from a solid to a liquid state usually by heat

2

: to cause to disappear or disperse

3

: to make tender or gentle : soften

— melt·abil·i·ty \ˌmel-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— melt·able \ˈmel-tə-bəl\ adjective

— melt·er noun

Examples of MELT

1. The butter melted in the frying pan.
2. The snow is finally melting.
3. She melted butter in the frying pan.
4. a tablespoon of melted butter
5. Their determination melted in the face of opposition.
6. She melted at his kindly words.
7. Her heart melted with compassion.

Origin of MELT

Middle English, from Old English meltan; akin to Old Norse melta to digest, Greek meldein to melt — more at mollify

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to MELT

Synonyms

dematerialize, dissolve, evanesce, evaporate, fade, flee, fly, go (away), disappear, sink, vanish

Antonyms

appear, materialize

Related Words

blank (out), clear, die (away or down or out), disperse, dissipate, dissolve, dry up; blur, dim

Near Antonyms

arrive, break out, come out, emerge, issue, loom, show up

Rhymes with MELT

belt, celt, Celt, delt, felt, gelt, pelt, smelt, spelt, svelte, veld, welt

²melt

noun

Definition of MELT

1

a : material in the molten state

b : the mass melted at a single operation or the quantity melted during a specified period

2

a : the action or process of melting or the period during which it occurs <the spring melt>

b : the condition of being melted

3

: a sandwich with melted cheese <a tuna melt>

First Known Use of MELT

1847

³melt

noun

Definition of MELT

: spleen; especially : spleen of slaughtered animals for use as feed or food

Origin of MELT

Middle English milte, from Old English; akin to Old High German miltzi spleen

First Known Use: before 12th century