dissolve

[ dih-zolv ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·solved, dis·solv·ing.

1. to make a solution of, as by mixing with a liquid; pass into solution:

   to dissolve salt in water.

2. to melt; liquefy:

   to dissolve sugar into syrup.

3. to undo (a tie or bond); break up (a connection, union, etc.).

   Synonyms: loosen, sever

4. to break up (an assembly or organization); dismiss; disperse.
5. Government. to order the termination of (a parliament or other legislative body).

   Synonyms: adjourn

6. to bring to an end; terminate; destroy:

   to dissolve one's hopes.

7. to separate into parts or elements; disintegrate.
8. to destroy the binding power or influence of:

   to dissolve a spell.

9. Law. to deprive of force; abrogate; annul:

   to dissolve a marriage.

verb (used without object)

, dis·solved, dis·solv·ing.

1. to become dissolved, as in a solvent.
2. to become melted or liquefied.
3. to disintegrate, break up, or disperse.
4. to lose force, intensity, or strength.
5. to disappear gradually; fade away.
6. to break down emotionally; lose one's composure:

   The poor child dissolved in tears.

7. Movies, Television. to fade out one shot or scene while simultaneously fading in the next, overlapping the two during the process.

noun

1. Also called lap dissolve, Movies, Television. a transition from one scene to the next made by dissolving.

dissolve

/ dɪˈzɒlv /

verb

1. to go or cause to go into solution

   water dissolves sugar

   salt dissolves in water

2. to become or cause to become liquid; melt
3. to disintegrate or disperse
4. to come or bring to an end
5. to dismiss (a meeting, parliament, etc) or (of a meeting, etc) to be dismissed
6. to collapse or cause to collapse emotionally

   to dissolve into tears

7. to lose or cause to lose distinctness or clarity
8. tr to terminate legally, as a marriage, etc
9. 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

1. films television a scene filmed or televised by dissolving

dissolve

/ dĭ-zŏlv′ /

1. To pass or cause to pass into solution.

Derived Forms

• disˈsolvable, adjective
• disˈsolver, noun
• disˌsolvaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• dis·solv·a·bil·i·ty [dih-zolv-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], dis·solv·a·ble·ness noun
• dis·solv·a·ble adjective
• dis·solv·er noun
• dis·solv·ing·ly adverb
• non·dis·solv·ing adjective
• pre·dis·solve verb (used with object) predissolved predissolving
• re·dis·solve verb redissolved redissolving
• self-dis·solved adjective
• un·dis·solv·a·ble adjective
• un·dis·solved adjective
• un·dis·solv·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissolve¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin dissolvere “to unloose”; equivalent to dis- ¹ + solve

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissolve¹

C14: from Latin dissolvere to make loose, from dis- ¹+ solvere to release

Synonym Study

See melt ¹.

Example Sentences

For the death of one of its members cannot, I am determined, dissolve the T.C.B.S… Yes, publish….

From The Daily Beast

Boundaries between gay and straight and public and private dissolve.

From The Daily Beast

Hasina will almost certainly dissolve the government and call fresh elections.

From The Daily Beast

“YCT come get me,” they chanted until the crowd began to dissolve.

From The Daily Beast

Fans grow up, and their youthful interests quickly dissolve.

From The Daily Beast

When treated with hydrochloric or acetic acid they slowly dissolve and rhombic crystals of uric acid appear.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon addition of acetic acid they dissolve, and rhombic plates of uric acid appear.

From Project Gutenberg

Dissolve the suspected stain in a few drops of normal salt solution upon a slide.

From Project Gutenberg

Should an association dissolve, then the members may divide its property among themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

He repairs to it with eagerness, and clings to it with a tenacity that time cannot relax, nor all the agonies of death dissolve.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adjourn
• break up
• cancel
• collapse
• demolish
• destroy
• discharge
• dismiss
• overthrow
• postpone
• repeal
• separate
• sever
• suspend
• terminate
• vacate