/ dɪˈzɒlv; NAmE -ˈzɑːlv/ verb
1.
[ v ] dissolve (in sth) ( of a solid ) to mix with a liquid and become part of it :
Salt dissolves in water.
Heat gently until the sugar dissolves.
2.
[ vn ] dissolve sth (in sth) to make a solid become part of a liquid :
Dissolve the tablet in water.
3.
[ vn ] to officially end a marriage, business agreement or parliament :
Their marriage was dissolved in 1999.
The election was announced and parliament was dissolved.
4.
to disappear; to make sth disappear :
[ v ]
When the ambulance had gone, the crowd dissolved.
[ vn ]
His calm response dissolved her anger.
5.
[ v ] dissolve into laughter, tears, etc. to suddenly start laughing, crying, etc. :
When the teacher looked up, the children dissolved into giggles.
Every time she heard his name, she dissolved into tears.
6.
dissolve (sth) (away) to remove or destroy sth, especially by a chemical process; to be destroyed in this way :
[ vn ]
a new detergent that dissolves stains
[ v ]
All the original calcium had dissolved away.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (also in the sense break down into component parts ): from Latin dissolvere , from dis- apart + solvere loosen or solve.