I. ˈsälyəbəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, susceptible of being loosened or relaxed or dissolved, from Late Latin solubilis, from Latin solvere to loosen, relax, dissolve + -bilis -able — more at solve
1.
a. archaic : not constipated : evacuating normally
b. obsolete : having a laxative effect : inducing evacuation of the bowels
2.
a. : susceptible of being dissolved in or as if in a fluid : capable of solution
salt and sugar are soluble in water
copper and zinc are completely soluble in the liquid state, but are only partially soluble in the solid state — G.E.Claussen
— see fat-soluble
b. : emulsifiable , dispersible — used especially of oils
3. : subject to being solved : susceptible of being disentangled or explained : solvable
a soluble puzzle
such problems are perfectly soluble
• sol·u·ble·ness -bəlnə̇s noun -es
• sol·u·bly -blē, -bli adverb
II. noun
( -s )
: something (as a substance or problem) that is soluble
leaching of soil solubles
— see distillers' solubles