| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
solvent (ˈsɒlvənt) ![]() | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | capable of meeting financial obligations |
| 2. | (of a substance, esp a liquid) capable of dissolving another substance |
| —n | |
| 3. | a liquid capable of dissolving another substance: water is a solvent for salt |
| 4. | Compare solute the component of a solution that does not change its state in forming the solution or the component that is present in excess |
| 5. | something that solves |
| [C17: from Latin solvēns releasing, from solvere to free, | |
| 'solvently | |
| —adv | |
solvent sol·vent (sŏl'vənt)
adj.
Capable of dissolving another substance. n.
A substance in which another substance is dissolved, forming a solution.
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. |