I. ˈmelt verb
( melted -tə̇d ; melted “ ; also mol·ten ˈmōlt ə n also -tən ; melting ; melts )
Etymology: Middle English, melten, from Old English meltan, v.i., & mieltan, v.t., causative from the root of meltan; akin to Old Norse melta to malt for brewing, to digest, Gothic gamalteins departure, Latin mollis soft, Greek meldein to melt, Sanskrit mṛdnāti he squeezes, rubs, Latin molere to grind — more at meal
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to change from a solid to a liquid state usually by the action of heat
ice melting in the sun
gold melts at 1945° F
b. : to be or become extremely hot : run with perspiration
melting in heavy winter clothing
2.
a. : dissolve , disintegrate
sugar melting in hot coffee
b. : to disappear as if dissolving : become dispersed, dissipated, or wholly consumed
the morning fog usually melts as the sun rises in the sky
their determination melted in the face of increasing hazards
— often used with away
their money melted away on unexpected expenses
sometimes a tumor will melt completely under adequate irradiation
3. obsolete : to become subdued, prostrated, or crushed (as by sorrow or remorse)
4. : to become softened : become mild, tender, or gentle
melted at his kindly words
5. : to become absorbed
6. : to lose distinct individuality of outline : blend or blur by imperceptible degrees — usually used with into
the brown foothills melting into the steeper slopes
transitive verb
1.
a. : to reduce (as a metal) from a solid to a liquid state usually by the action of heat
melt wax over a flame
— often used with down
melted down the family plate
b. obsolete : to form by melting : form from melted material
2.
a. archaic : to cause to dissolve or disintegrate
b. : to cause to disappear or disperse
the sun melted the clouds
3.
a. : to make tender, gentle, or susceptible to mild influences : soften
the child's tears melted his determination
b. obsolete : to take away the firmness of : weaken , enervate
4. : to cause to merge insensibly (as colors, sounds, or outlines) : cause to fuse : blend
5. slang Britain : spend
melting his money
: cash
melt a check
•
- melt in one's mouth
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a melted substance : material in the molten state
glass, being a melt and not a crystal, has an immense range in both chemical composition and physical properties — G.F.H.Smith
b. : the mass melted at a single operation or the quantity melted during a certain period
2.
a. : an act or process of melting
b. : the condition of being melted
III. noun
also milt ˈmilt
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English milte, from Old English; akin to Old High German milzi spleen, Old Norse milti, and probably to Old English meltan to melt — more at melt I
: spleen ; especially : spleen of slaughtered animals for use as food or feed
use of hog melt in mink rations
IV.
variant of milt
V. noun
: a sandwich with melted cheese
a tuna melt