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

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

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

He will then have 21 days to dissolve the German parliament, the Bundestag.

From BBC

In October the three parties of government agreed that the general election would take place this year - yesterday Harris officially called the election and asked the President Higgins to dissolve the Dáil.

From BBC

Under Irish law, once the Dail is dissolved an election must be held within 30 days.

From BBC

These handy, reusable linen bags are designed to keep veggies and leafy greens crisp for longer and to prevent them from dissolving into brownish-green smears of goo in a plastic bag.

From Los Angeles Times

In Aspartame, the descriptions of the physical side effects of bulimia aren’t sugar coated, she is “rail thin in a polka dress” with “tooth enamel dissolved by stomach acid”.

From BBC

Related Words

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