dissolve

(dĭ-zŏlvˈ)

1. To cause to pass into solution: dissolve salt in water.
2. To reduce (solid matter) to liquid form; melt.
3. To cause to disappear or vanish; dispel.
4. To break into component parts; disintegrate.
5. To bring to an end by or as if by breaking up; terminate.
6. To dismiss (a legislative body, for example): dissolved parliament and called for new elections.
7. To cause to break down emotionally or psychologically; upset.
8. To cause to lose definition; blur; confuse: “Morality has finally been dissolved in pity” (Leslie Fiedler).
9. Law To annul; abrogate.

1. To pass into solution.
2. To become liquid; melt.
3. To break up or disperse.
4. To become disintegrated; disappear.
5. To be overcome emotionally or psychologically: I dissolved into helpless laughter.
6. To lose clarity or definition; fade away.
7. To shift shots in a motion-picture film or videotape by having one shot fade out while the next appears behind it and grows clearer as the first one dims.

Related Forms:

• dis·solvˈa·ble adjective

• dis·solvˈer noun