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solvent - 11 dictionary results

sol⋅vent

[sol-vuhnt]
–adjective
1. able to pay all just debts.
2. having the power of dissolving; causing solution.
–noun
3. a substance that dissolves another to form a solution: Water is a solvent for sugar.
4. something that solves or explains.

Origin:
1620–30; < L solvent- (s. of solvēns), prp. of solvere to loosen. See solve, -ent


sol⋅vent⋅less, adjective
sol⋅vent⋅ly, adverb
sol·vent   (sŏl'vənt, sôl'-)   
adj.  
  1. Capable of meeting financial obligations.
  2. Chemistry Capable of dissolving another substance.
n.  
  1. Chemistry
    1. A substance in which another substance is dissolved, forming a solution.
    2. A substance, usually a liquid, capable of dissolving another substance.
  2. Something that solves or explains.

[French, from Latin solvēns, solvent-, present participle of solvere, to loosen; see solve.]
sol'ven·cy n.

Solvent

Sol"vent\ (s[o^]l"vent), a. [L. solvens, p. pr. of solvere. See Solvable.]

1. Having the power of dissolving; dissolving; as, a solvent fluid. "the solvent body." --Boyle.

2. Able or sufficient to pay all just debts; as, a solvent merchant; the estate is solvent.

Solvent

Sol"vent\, n. (Chem.) A substance (usually liquid) suitable for, or employed in, solution, or in dissolving something; as, water is the appropriate solvent of most salts, alcohol of resins, ether of fats, and mercury or acids of metals, etc.

2. That which resolves; as, a solvent of mystery.
Language Translation for : solvent
Spanish: solvente,
German: zahlungsunfähig,
Japanese: 支払能力のある

solvent  (adj.)
1653, "able to pay all one owes," from Fr. solvent, from L. solventem (nom. solvens), prp. of solvere "loosen, dissolve" (see solve). Noun meaning "substance able to dissolve other substances" first recorded 1671.

solvent

Able to meet debts or discharge liabilities. Compare insolvent.


Main Entry: sol·vent
Pronunciation: 'säl-v&nt
Function: adjective
: able to pay all legal debts as they become due

Main Entry: 1sol·vent
Pronunciation: 'säl-v&nt, 'sol-
Function: adjective
: that dissolves or can dissolve <solventfluids> <solvent action of water>

Main Entry: 2solvent
Function: noun
: a substance capable of or used in dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances; especially : aliquid component of a solution present in greater amount than the solute solvent for many salts, alcohol for many resins, and ether for fats>

solvent sol·vent (sŏl'vənt)
adj.
Capable of dissolving another substance. n.

  1. A substance in which another substance is dissolved, forming a solution.
  2. A substance capable of dissolving another substance.

solvent   (sŏl'vənt)  Pronunciation Key 
A substance that can dissolve another substance, or in which another substance is dissolved, forming a solution. Water is the most common solvent.
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