Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

dissolve

[dih-zolv]
See more synonyms for dissolve on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), dis·solved, dis·solv·ing.
  1. to make a solution of, as by mixing with a liquid; pass into solution: to dissolve salt in water.
  2. to melt; liquefy: to dissolve sugar into syrup.
  3. to undo (a tie or bond); break up (a connection, union, etc.).
  4. to break up (an assembly or organization); dismiss; disperse.
  5. Government. to order the termination of (a parliament or other legislative body).
  6. to bring to an end; terminate; destroy: to dissolve one's hopes.
  7. to separate into parts or elements; disintegrate.
  8. to destroy the binding power or influence of: to dissolve a spell.
  9. Law. to deprive of force; abrogate; annul: to dissolve a marriage.
Show More
verb (used without object), dis·solved, dis·solv·ing.
  1. to become dissolved, as in a solvent.
  2. to become melted or liquefied.
  3. to disintegrate, break up, or disperse.
  4. to lose force, intensity, or strength.
  5. to disappear gradually; fade away.
  6. to break down emotionally; lose one's composure: The poor child dissolved in tears.
  7. Movies, Television. to fade out one shot or scene while simultaneously fading in the next, overlapping the two during the process.
Show More
noun
  1. Also called lap dissolve, cross-dissolve. Movies, Television. a transition from one scene to the next made by dissolving.
Show More

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

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for dissolve

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for dissolve

dissolve

verb
  1. to go or cause to go into solutionsalt dissolves in water; water dissolves sugar
  2. to become or cause to become liquid; melt
  3. to disintegrate or disperse
  4. to come or bring to an end
  5. to dismiss (a meeting, parliament, etc) or (of a meeting, etc) to be dismissed
  6. to collapse or cause to collapse emotionallyto dissolve into tears
  7. to lose or cause to lose distinctness or clarity
  8. (tr) to terminate legally, as a marriage, etc
  9. (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
Show More
noun
  1. films television a scene filmed or televised by dissolving
Show More
Derived Formsdissolvable, adjectivedissolvability or dissolvableness, noundissolver, noun

Word Origin

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 dissolve

v.

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.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
dissolve in Medicine

dissolve

(dĭ-zŏlv′)
v.
  1. To pass or cause to pass into a solution, as salt in water.
  2. To become or cause to become liquid; melt.
  3. To cause to disintegrate or become disintegrated.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
dissolve in Science

dissolve

[dĭ-zŏlv′]
  1. To pass or cause to pass into solution.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.