solvent

¹sol·vent

adjective \-vənt\

Definition of SOLVENT

1

: able to pay all legal debts <a solvent company>

2

: that dissolves or can dissolve <solvent action of water>

— sol·vent·ly adverb

Examples of SOLVENT

1. He couldn't stay solvent after losing his business.

Origin of SOLVENT

Latin solvent-, solvens, present participle of solvere to dissolve, pay

First Known Use: 1630

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

²solvent

noun

Definition of SOLVENT

1

: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances

2

: something that provides a solution

3

: something that eliminates or attenuates something especially unwanted

— sol·vent·less \-ləs\ adjective

First Known Use of SOLVENT

1671

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

solvent

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Substance, ordinarily a liquid, in which other materials dissolve to form a solution. Polar solvents (e.g., water) favour formation of ions; nonpolar ones (e.g., hydrocarbons) do not. Solvents may be predominantly acidic, predominantly basic, amphoteric (both), or aprotic (neither). Organic compounds used as solvents include aromatic compounds and other hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, ethers, ketones, amines, and nitrated and halogenated hydrocarbons. Their chief uses are as media for chemical syntheses, as industrial cleaners, in extractive processes, in pharmaceuticals, in inks, and in paints, varnishes, and lacquers.