v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. & intr. make or become liquid, esp. by immersion or dispersion in a liquid.
2 intr. & tr. disappear or cause to disappear gradually.
3 a tr. dismiss or disperse (an assembly, esp. parliament). b intr. (of an assembly) be dissolved (cf. DISSOLUTION).
4 tr. annul or put an end to (a partnership, marriage, etc.).
5 intr. (of a person) become enfeebled or emotionally overcome (completely dissolved when he saw her; dissolved into tears).
6 intr. (often foll. by into) Cinematog. change gradually (from one picture into another).
--n. Cinematog. the act or process of dissolving a picture.
Derivatives:
dissolvable adj.
Etymology: ME f. L dissolvere dissolut- (as DIS-, solvere loosen)