dissolves
|dis-solve|
🇺🇸
/dɪˈzɑlvz/
🇬🇧
/dɪˈzɒlvz/
(dissolve)
break apart
Etymology
'dissolve' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'dissolvere', where 'dis-' meant 'apart' and 'solvere' meant 'to loosen, release'.
'dissolve' passed into Old French as 'dissoudre' and Middle English adopted forms like 'dissolven' before becoming the modern English 'dissolve'.
Initially it meant 'to loosen apart' (literally 'set free' or 'loosen'), but over time it evolved to include the modern senses of 'to melt into a liquid', 'to break up', and 'to end formally'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a gradual transition from one scene to another in film or television; a type of visual transition.
The editor uses several dissolves between the scenes.
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Verb 1
to cause a solid substance to become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution; to make (a substance) dissolve.
She dissolves the sugar in her coffee every morning.
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Verb 2
to become incorporated into a liquid; to go into solution (intransitive).
Salt dissolves quickly in hot water.
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Verb 3
to bring to an end formally or officially (e.g., dissolve a parliament, dissolve a marriage).
The prime minister dissolves parliament before the election.
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Verb 4
to change suddenly into a different emotional or physical state (often used with into: dissolve into laughter/tears).
He dissolves into laughter at the slightest joke.
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Last updated: 2026/01/04 00:46