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solvent - 11 dictionary results

sol⋅vent

  [sol-vuhnt]
Use solvent in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
sol⋅vent⋅less, adjective
sol⋅vent⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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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.
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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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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : solvent
Spanish: solvente,
German: zahlungsunfähig,
Japanese: 支払能力のある
More Translations »

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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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solvent

Able to meet debts or discharge liabilities. Compare insolvent.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Main Entry: sol·vent
Pronunciation: 'säl-v&nt
Function: adjective
: able to pay all legal debts as they become due
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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