adjective
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capable of meeting financial obligations
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(of a substance, esp a liquid) capable of dissolving another substance
noun
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a liquid capable of dissolving another substance
water is a solvent for salt
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the component of a solution that does not change its state in forming the solution or the component that is present in excess Compare solute
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something that solves
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of solvent
First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin solvent-, stem of solvēns “loosening,” present participle of solvere “to loosen, release”; see solve
Explanation
Solvent’s meaning changes pretty drastically depending on its part of speech. As a noun, solvent is either a certain kind of chemical or an idea that solves a problem. As an adjective, solvent describes someone who's got cash on hand. A solvent dissolves other chemicals, which is why it's also easy to remember: solvent is a chemical used to dissolve other chemicals. The adjective solvent, on the other hand, comes from a French verb that means "loosen." During tough economic times, only those banks that are solvent are in a position to loosen the cash flow and start lending money. No cash? You're not solvent.
Vocabulary lists containing solvent
Stroke of Genius: Words About Painting
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"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury
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"There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury (1950)
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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.
The paper, "Glassy Gels Toughened by Solvent," will be published June 19 in the journal Nature.
From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2024
Solvent density: As the density of a solvent increases, the rate of diffusion decreases.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India, a Mumbai-based trade body, is likely to publish import number for September in mid-October.
From Reuters • Oct. 1, 2021
Two of the companies, Dark Side Defense and Solvent Traps, Etc., were forced to close.
From The Verge • Aug. 26, 2019
Virgulta quercûs de luco Solvent pedem meum e catenâ: Ne reveles secretum tuum virgini.
From Some Specimens of the Poetry of the Ancient Welsh Bards by Evans, Evan
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.
