Category:Dissolve

Dis*solve", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dissolved; p. pr. & vb. n. Dissolving.] Etym: [L. dissolvere, dissolutum; dis- + solvere to loose, free. See Solve, and cf. Dissolute.]

1. To separate into competent parts; to disorganize; to break up; hence, to bring to an end by separating the parts, sundering a relation, etc.; to terminate; to destroy; to deprive of force; as, to dissolve a partnership; to dissolve Parliament. Lest his ungoverned rage dissolve the life. Shak.

2. To break the continuity of; to disconnect; to disunite; to sunder; to loosen; to undo; to separate. Nothing can dissolve us. Shak. Down fell the duke, his joints dissolved asunder. Fairfax. For one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another. The Declaration of Independence.

3. To convert into a liquid by means of heat, moisture, etc.,; to melt; to liquefy; to soften. As if the world were all dissolved to tears. Shak.

4. To solve; to clear up; to resolve. "Dissolved the mystery." Tennyson. Make interpretations and dissolve doubts. Dan. v. 16.

5. To relax by pleasure; to make powerless. Angels dissolved in hallelujahs lie. Dryden.

6. (Law)

Defn: To annul; to rescind; to discharge or release; as, to dissolve an injunction.

Syn. -- See Adjourn.

dissolve Dis*solve", v. i.

1. To waste away; to be dissipated; to be decomposed or broken up.

2. To become fluid; to be melted; to be liquefied. A figure Trenched in ice, which with an hour's heat Dissolves to water, and doth lose his form. Shak.

3. To fade away; to fall to nothing; to lose power. The charm dissolves apace. Shak.