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Solve

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solve

[solv]
–verb (used with object), solved, solv⋅ing.
1. to find the answer or explanation for; clear up; explain: to solve the mystery of the missing books.
2. to work out the answer or solution to (a mathematical problem).

Origin:
1400–50; late ME solven < L solvere to loosen, free, release, dissolve


solver, noun


1. resolve, unravel, untangle, crack.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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solve   (sŏlv, sôlv)   
v.   solved, solv·ing, solves

v.   tr.
  1. To find a solution to.

  2. To work out a correct solution to (a problem).

v.   intr.
To solve an equation: Insert the values of the constants and solve for x.

[Middle English solven, to loosen, from Latin solvere; see leu- in Indo-European roots.]
solv'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to clear up or explain something puzzling or unintelligible: solve a riddle; can't decipher your handwriting; resolve a problem; unravel a mystery.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

solve 
c.1440, "to disperse, dissipate, loosen," from L. solvere "to loosen, dissolve, untie," from PIE *se-lu-, from reflexive pronoun *swe- + base *leu- "to loosen, divide, cut apart" (cf. Gk. lyein "to loosen, release, untie," O.E. -leosan "to lose," leas "loose;" see lose). The meaning "explain, answer" is attested from c.1533; for sense evolution, see solution. Mathematical use is attested from 1737.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Computing Dictionary

Solve
Parallel object-oriented language. "Message Pattern Specifications: A New Technique for Handling Errors in Parallel Object- Oriented Systems", J.A. Purchase et al, SIGPLAN Notices 25(10):116-125 (OOPSLA/ECOOP '90) (Oct 1990).

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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