solvent

[ sol-vuhnt ]

/ ˈsɒl vənt /

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See synonyms for: solvent / solvents on Thesaurus.com

adjective

able to pay all just debts.

having the power of dissolving; causing solution.

noun

a substance that dissolves another to form a solution: Water is a solvent for sugar.

something that solves or explains.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of solvent

1620–30; <Latin solvent- (stem of solvēns), present participle of solvere to loosen. See solve, -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM solvent

sol·vent·less, adjectivesol·vent·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use solvent in a sentence

They also make “food grade industrial alcohol” used in everything from solvents and antiseptics to fungicides.
Your ‘Craft’ Rye Whiskey Is Probably From a Factory Distillery in Indiana|Eric Felten|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As a drug, nitrous is among many forms of inhalants, including solvents and gasoline, that people use to alter the mind.
Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Whip-Its|Winston Ross|March 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The ratio k2/k1 for any substance S is found to be equal to the ratio of the solubilities of the substance in the two solvents.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2.|Julius Stieglitz
In these attempts there were efforts to form new compounds as well as a search for simple solvents.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various

Ordinary phosphorus is soluble in certain solvents, such as oil; amorphous phosphorus is insoluble.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various
The commercial grades of the solvents often contain impurities that leave a brown ring after evaporation.
Textiles|William H. Dooley
Turpentine, petroleum spirit and other solvents are also used to thin the varnishes.
Animal Proteins|Hugh Garner Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for solvent

solvent

/ (ˈsɒlvənt) /

adjective

capable of meeting financial obligations

(of a substance, esp a liquid) capable of dissolving another substance

noun

a liquid capable of dissolving another substancewater is a solvent for salt

the component of a solution that does not change its state in forming the solution or the component that is present in excessCompare solute

something that solves

Derived forms of solvent

solvently, adverb

Word Origin for solvent

C17: from Latin solvēns releasing, from solvere to free, solve

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