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

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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 dissolve

soften, disband, separate, dissipate, evaporate, crumble, fade, vanish, disperse, demolish, suspend, collapse, overthrow, vacate, dismiss, terminate, cancel, discharge, adjourn, destroy

Examples from the Web for dissolve

Contemporary Examples of dissolve

For the death of one of its members cannot, I am determined, dissolve the T.C.B.S… Yes, publish….
Why World War I Is at the Heart of ‘Lord of the Rings’
John Garth
July 29, 2014
“YCT come get me,” they chanted until the crowd began to dissolve.
How a Game of Tag Turned a Texas Campus Into Immigration’s Ground Zero
Kelsey McKinney
November 21, 2013
City Opera will dissolve unless $7 million is raised to fund the season by midnight on Monday.
'Breaking Bad' Breaks Records, Hillary Clinton Doc Cancelled
Culture Team
September 30, 2013
You remember the famous Bertolt Brecht line about how the government should just “dissolve the people and elect another”?
A New GOP? Not Yet
Michael Tomasky
February 7, 2013
An upcoming court ruling on the constitutionality of the parliamentary elections could dissolve the Islamist-dominated Parliament.
Confusion Surrounds Egypt’s Presidential Elections, Set for May 23
Ursula Lindsey
May 2, 2012

Historical Examples of dissolve

Besides, as he said to a colleague, "If we did not dissolve we would be showing the white feather."
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
Dissolve an ounce of isinglass in as much warm water as will cover it.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
Pour on them as much white wine as will cover and dissolve them.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
Dissolve half a pound of loaf-sugar in half a pint of claret.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
Then dissolve it by stirring it in a saucepan over the fire.
The Skilful Cook
Mary Harrison

British Dictionary definitions for dissolve

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 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.

dissolve in Medicine