I. ˈsädə(r), ˈsȯd-, chiefly Brit ˈsäld- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English souldour, sowder, sawder, from Middle French soldure, soudure, saudure, from solder, souder, sauder to solder (from Latin solidare to make solid, join together, from solidus solid) + -ure
1. : a metal or metallic alloy used when melted to join metallic surfaces and usually applied by means of a soldering iron or a blowpipe with a flux (as rosin, borax, or zinc chloride) to cleanse the surfaces ; especially : an alloy of lead and tin so used
2. : something (as a shared principle) that serves to unite or cement : a common bond
II. verb
( soldered ; soldered ; soldering -d(ə)riŋ ; solders )
transitive verb
1. : to unite or make whole by means of solder
solder a joint in piping
solder a leaky pot
solder up a hole
solder sheets of metal together
2. : to bring into or restore to firm union as if by the use of solder : cause to adhere, knit, close up, or come together as if soldered
a friendship soldered by common interests
— often used with up
the union was soldered up by concessions from both sides
intransitive verb
1. : to use solder : make unions or repairs by means of solder
was soldering away at a free form when I got there
workmen who like to solder
2. obsolete : to constitute a source of union
3. : to become united or repaired by or as if by solder
the joint solders easily