solder
Americannoun
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any of various alloys fused and applied to the joint between metal objects to unite them without heating the objects to the melting point.
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anything that joins or unites.
the solder of their common cause.
verb (used with object)
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to join (metal objects) with solder.
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to join closely and intimately.
two fates inseparably soldered by misfortune.
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to mend; repair; patch up.
verb (used without object)
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to unite things with solder.
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to become soldered or united; grow together.
noun
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an alloy for joining two metal surfaces by melting the alloy so that it forms a thin layer between the surfaces. Soft solders are alloys of lead and tin; brazing solders are alloys of copper and zinc
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something that joins things together firmly; a bond
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of solder
1325–75; (noun) Middle English soudour < Old French soudure, soldure, derivative of solder to solder < Latin solidāre to make solid, equivalent to solid ( us ) solid + -āre infinitive suffix; (v.) late Middle English, derivative of the noun
Explanation
If you want to be a metalsmith you’ll have to become familiar with solder, which is the substance you use to fuse two metal surfaces. The word solder traces back to the Latin word solidare, meaning “to make solid.” That’s what you use solder for: to make something solid. In this case you are joining two metal surfaces so they appear as one solid piece. The word also has a verb form, also solder, to describe the act of joining the metal pieces. You might use solder, for example, to solder a metal piece on a computer's motherboard.
Vocabulary lists containing solder
Gold Rush: Mining and Metals
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The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
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"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Actor and director Burke, whose films include Tinker Tailor Solder Spy and Elizabeth, tweeted: "We thank you and love you."
From BBC • Nov. 13, 2023
“I’ll spare the language but it was intense,” Solder said.
From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2022
The other time it happened was in the 2014 season when New England's Nate Solder and Seattle's Garry Gilliam did it.
From Fox News • Jan. 19, 2022
He offered major contracts that backfired to offensive tackle Nate Solder and the receivers Golden Tate and Kenny Golladay.
From New York Times • Jan. 10, 2022
Solder the top of the dome in 1/8 inch below the end of the tube, and burr the end over.
From Things To Make by Williams, Archibald
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.