dissolve

Definition of dissolve

Etymology

Recorded since c.1374, from Latin dissolvere "to loosen up, break apart", itself from from dis- "apart" + solvere "to loose, loosen"

Verb

to dissolve (third-person singular simple present dissolves, present participle dissolving, simple past and past participle dissolved)

1. (transitive) To terminate a union of multiple members actively, as by disbanding
   
   The ruling party or coalition sometimes dissolves parliament early when the polls are favorable, hoping to reconvene with a larger majority
   
   
2. (transitive) To destroy, make disappear
3. (transitive) To liquify, melt into a fluid
4. (intransitive) To be melted, changed into a fluid
5. (chemistry) (transitive) To disintegrate chemically into a solution by immersion into a liquid or gas.
6. (chemistry) (intransitive) To be disintegrated by such immersion.
7. (transitive) To disperse, drive apart a group of persons.
8. (cinematography) (intransitive) To shift from one shot to another by having the former fade out as the latter fades in.
9. (intransitive) To resolve itself as by dissolution

Synonyms

• melt
• (cinematography) fade out

Derived terms

• dissolvable
• dissolver

Related terms

• dissoluble
• dissolute
• dissolution
• dissolvent