dissolve

[dih-zolv]

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verb (used with object), dis·solved, dis·solv·ing.

to make a solution of, as by mixing with a liquid; pass into solution: to dissolve salt in water.

to melt; liquefy: to dissolve sugar into syrup.

to undo (a tie or bond); break up (a connection, union, etc.).

to break up (an assembly or organization); dismiss; disperse.

Government. to order the termination of (a parliament or other legislative body).

to bring to an end; terminate; destroy: to dissolve one's hopes.

to separate into parts or elements; disintegrate.

to destroy the binding power or influence of: to dissolve a spell.

Law. to deprive of force; abrogate; annul: to dissolve a marriage.

verb (used without object), dis·solved, dis·solv·ing.

to become dissolved, as in a solvent.

to become melted or liquefied.

to disintegrate, break up, or disperse.

to lose force, intensity, or strength.

to disappear gradually; fade away.

to break down emotionally; lose one's composure: The poor child dissolved in tears.

Movies, Television. to fade out one shot or scene while simultaneously fading in the next, overlapping the two during the process.

noun

Also called lap dissolve, cross-dissolve. Movies, Television. a transition from one scene to the next made by dissolving.

Origin of dissolve

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin dissolvere, equivalent to dis- dis-¹ + solvere to solve

Related formsdis·solv·a·bil·i·ty, dis·solv·a·ble·ness, noundis·solv·a·ble, adjectivedis·solv·er, noundis·solv·ing·ly, adverbnon·dis·solv·ing, adjectivepre·dis·solve, verb (used with object), pre·dis·solved, pre·dis·solv·ing.re·dis·solve, verb, re·dis·solved, re·dis·solv·ing.self-dis·solved, adjectiveun·dis·solv·a·ble, adjectiveun·dis·solved, adjectiveun·dis·solv·ing, adjective

Synonyms for dissolve

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dissolve ON THESAURUS.COM

1. See melt¹. 3. sever, loosen. 5. adjourn.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for dissolvable

succulent, solvent, damp, smooth, running, wet, dulcet, fluent, juicy, luscious, mellifluous, mellow, moist, molten, moving, sappy, soft, thin, viscous, watery

Examples from the Web for dissolvable

Historical Examples of dissolvable

For such things as are not dissolvable by the Moisture of the Tongue, act not upon the Taste.
Opticks
Isaac Newton
But what estate on earth is so firm, that is not changeable, or what friendship is so constant, that is not dissolvable?
The Lives of the Most Famous English Poets (1687)
William Winstanley
Well then, at the end of ten years these should be dissolvable, with proper provision made for the children.
Mrs. Warren's Daughter
Sir Harry Johnston
With short-term marriages, dissolvable at will, there is no reason why they should be otherwise.
The Girl in the Golden Atom
Raymond King Cummings

British Dictionary definitions for dissolvable

dissolve

verb

to go or cause to go into solutionsalt dissolves in water; water dissolves sugar

to become or cause to become liquid; melt

to disintegrate or disperse

to come or bring to an end

to dismiss (a meeting, parliament, etc) or (of a meeting, etc) to be dismissed

to collapse or cause to collapse emotionallyto dissolve into tears

to lose or cause to lose distinctness or clarity

(tr) to terminate legally, as a marriage, etc

(intr) films television to fade out one scene and replace with another to make two scenes merge imperceptibly (fast dissolve) or slowly overlap (slow dissolve) over a period of about three or four seconds

noun

films television a scene filmed or televised by dissolving

Derived Formsdissolvable, adjectivedissolvability or dissolvableness, noundissolver, noun

Word Origin for dissolve

C14: from Latin dissolvere to make loose, from dis- 1 + solvere to release

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dissolvable

dissolve

late 14c. (transitive and intransitive) "to break up" (of material substances), from Latin dissolvere "to loosen up, break apart," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + solvere "to loose, loosen" (see solve). Meaning "to disband" (an assembly) is early 15c. Related: Dissolved; dissolving.

dissolvable in Medicine