1375, "a solving or being solved," from O.Fr. solucion, from L. solutionem (nom. solutio) "a loosening or unfastening," also "a solving," from pp. stem of solvere "to loosen, untie, solve, dissolve" (see solve). Meaning "liquid containing a dissolved substance" is first recorded 1594.
a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution; "he used a solution of peroxide and water"
2.
a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem; "they were trying to find a peaceful solution"; "the answers were in the back of the book"; "he computed the result to four decimal places"
3.
a method for solving a problem; "the easy solution is to look it up in the handbook"
4.
the set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation
5.
the successful action of solving a problem; "the solution took three hours"
Chemistry A mixture in which particles of one or more substances (the solute) are distributed uniformly throughout another substance (the solvent), so that the mixture is homogeneous at the molecular or ionic level. The particles in a solution are smaller than those in either a colloid or a suspension. Compare colloid, suspension.
Mathematics A value or values which, when substituted for a variable in an equation, make the equation true. For example, the solutions to the equation x2 = 4 are 2 and -2.
Main Entry: so·lu·tion Pronunciation: s&-'lü-sh&n Function: noun 1 a: an act or the process by which a solid, liquid, or
gaseous substance is homogeneously mixed with a liquid or sometimes a gas or solid called also dissolutionb: a homogeneous mixture formed by this process 2 a: a liquid containing a dissolved substance <an aqueous solution> b: a liquid and usually aqueous medicinal preparation with the solid ingredients soluble
c: the condition of being dissolved <a substance in solution>
solutionjargon A marketroid term for something he wants to sell you without bothering you with the often dizzying distinctions between hardware, software, services, applications, file formats, companies, brand names and operating systems. "Flash is a perfect image-streaming solution." "What is it?" "Um... about a thousand dollars." See also: technology. (1998-07-07)
Con`ti*nu"i*ty\, n.; pl. Continuities. [L. continuitas: cf. F. continuit['e]. See Continuous.] the state of being continuous; uninterupted connection or succession; close union of parts; cohesion; as, the continuity of fibers. --Grew. The sight would be tired, if it were attracted by a continuity of glittering objects. --Dryden. Law of continuity (Math. & Physics), the principle that nothing passes from one state to another without passing through all the intermediate states. Solution of continuity. (Math.) See under Solution.
Mix"ture\, n. [L. mixtura, fr. miscere, mixtum, to mix: cf. F. mixture. See Mix.]1. The act of mixing, or the state of being mixed; as, made by a mixture of ingredients. --Hooker. 2. That which results from mixing different ingredients together; a compound; as, to drink a mixture of molasses and water; -- also, a medley. There is also a mixture of good and evil wisely distributed by God, to serve the ends of his providence. --Atterbury. 3. An ingredient entering into a mixed mass; an additional ingredient. Cicero doubts whether it were possible for a community to exist that had not a prevailing mixture of piety in its constitution. --Addison. 4. (Med.) A kind of liquid medicine made up of many ingredients; esp., as opposed to solution, a liquid preparation in which the solid ingredients are not completely dissolved. 5. (Physics & Chem.) A mass of two or more ingredients, the particles of which are separable, independent, and uncompounded with each other, no matter how thoroughly and finely commingled; -- contrasted with a compound; thus, gunpowder is a mechanical mixture of carbon, sulphur, and niter. 6. (Mus.) An organ stop, comprising from two to five ranges of pipes, used only in combination with the foundation and compound stops; -- called also furniture stop. It consists of high harmonics, or overtones, of the ground tone. Syn: Union; admixture; intermixture; medley.
So*lu"tion\ (s[-o]*l[=u]"sh[u^]n), n. [OE. solucion, OF. solucion, F. solution, fr. L. solutio, fr. solvere, solutum, to loosen, dissolve. See Solve.]1. The act of separating the parts of any body, or the condition of undergoing a separation of parts; disruption; breach. In all bodies there is an appetite of union and evitation of solution of continuity. --Bacon. 2. The act of solving, or the state of being solved; the disentanglement of any intricate problem or difficult question; explanation; clearing up; -- used especially in mathematics, either of the process of solving an equation or problem, or the result of the process. 3. The state of being dissolved or disintegrated; resolution; disintegration. It is unquestionably an enterprise of more promise to assail the nations in their hour of faintness and solution, than at a time when magnificent and seductive systems of worship were at their height of energy and splendor. --I. Taylor. 4. (Chem.Phys.) The act or process by which a body (whether solid, liquid, or gaseous) is absorbed into a liquid, and, remaining or becoming fluid, is diffused throughout the solvent; also, the product reulting from such absorption. Note: When a solvent will not take in any more of a substance the solution is said to be saturated. Solution is two kinds; viz.: (a) Mechanical solution, in which no marked chemical change takes place, and in which, in the case of solids, the dissolved body can be regained by evaporation, as in the solution of salt or sugar in water. (b) Chemical solution, in which there is involved a decided chemical change, as when limestone or zinc undergoes solution in hydrochloric acid. Mechanical solution is regarded as a form of molecular or atomic attraction, and is probably occasioned by the formation of certain very weak and unstable compounds which are easily dissociated and pass into new and similar compounds. Note: This word is not used in chemistry or mineralogy for fusion, or the melting of bodies by the heat of fire. 5. release; deliverance; discharge. [Obs.] --Barrow. 6. (Med.) (a) The termination of a disease; resolution. (b) A crisis. (c) A liquid medicine or preparation (usually aqueous) in which the solid ingredients are wholly soluble. --U. S. Disp. Fehling's solution (Chem.), a standardized solution of cupric hydrate in sodium potassium tartrate, used as a means of determining the reducing power of certain sugars and sirups by the amount of red cuprous oxide thrown down. Heavy solution (Min.), a liquid of high density, as a solution of mercuric iodide in potassium iodide (called the Sonstadt or Thoulet solution) having a maximum specific gravity of 3.2, or of borotungstate of cadium (Klein solution, specific gravity 3.6), and the like. Such solutions are much used in determining the specific gravities of minerals, and in separating them when mechanically mixed as in a pulverized rock. Nessler's solution. See Nesslerize. Solution of continuity, the separation of connection, or of connected substances or parts; -- applied, in surgery, to a fracture, laceration, or the like. "As in the natural body a wound, or solution of continuity, is worse than a corrupt humor, so in the spiritual." --Bacon. Standardized solution (Chem.), a solution which is used as a reagent, and is of a known and standard strength; specifically, a normal solution, containing in each cubic centimeter as many milligrams of the element in question as the number representing its atomic weight; thus, a normal solution of silver nitrate would contain 107.7 mgr. of silver nitrate in each cubic centimeter.
Stand"ard\, a. 1. Being, affording, or according with, a standard for comparison and judgment; as, standard time; standard weights and measures; a standard authority as to nautical terms; standard gold or silver. 2. Hence: Having a recognized and permanent value; as, standard works in history; standard authors. 3. (Hort.) (a) Not supported by, or fastened to, a wall; as, standard fruit trees. (b) Not of the dwarf kind; as, a standard pear tree. Standard candle, Standard gauge. See under Candle, and Gauge. Standard solution. (Chem.) See Standardized solution, under Solution.
Ti"trate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Titrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Titrating.] [F. titrer, from titre standard, title. See Title, n.] (Chem.) To analyse, or determine the strength of, by means of standard solutions. Cf. Standardized solution, under Solution.
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