Dissolve

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: dɪˈzÉ’É«v

Origin

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

Full definition of dissolve

Verb

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
• Shakespeareas if the world were all dissolved to tears
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.
• ShakespeareNothing can dissolve us.
8. (transitive) To break the continuity of; to disconnect; to loosen; to undo; to separate.
• FairfaxDown fell the duke, his joints dissolved asunder.
• The Declaration of IndependenceFor one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another.
9. (legal, transitive) To annul; to rescind; to discharge or release.to dissolve an injunction
10. (cinematography, intransitive) To shift from one shot to another by having the former fade out as the latter fades in.
11. (intransitive) To resolve itself as by dissolution
12. (obsolete) To solve; to clear up; to resolve.
• Tennysondissolved the mystery
• Bible, Daniel v. 16Make interpretations and dissolve doubts.
13. To relax by pleasure; to make powerless.
• DrydenAngels dissolved in hallelujahs lie.

Synonyms

• melt
• (cinematography) fade out

Derived terms

• dissolvable
• dissolver

Related terms

• dissoluble
• dissolute
• dissolution
• dissolvent

Noun

1. (cinematography) A film punctuation in which there is a gradual transition from one scene to the next.

Synonyms

• fade out