I. səˈlüshən also səlˈyü- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin solution-, solutio act of loosening, solving, from solutus (past participle of solvere to loosen, solve, dissolve) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at solve
1.
a. : an action or process of solving a problem
do your solutions quickly and without checking
you may use tables in the solution of the examples
also : the fact or state of a problem's being solved
a difficulty that admits of no solution
b. : an answer to or means of answering a problem : a clearing up : explanation , denouement
your solution of the problem
c.
(1) : a set of values of the variables of an equation that satisfies the equation
(2) : any relation between the variables of a differential equation free from derivatives that upon differentiation yields the given differential equation
2.
a.
(1) : an act or the process by which a solid, liquid, or gaseous substance is homogeneously mixed with a liquid or less commonly a gas or solid that may consist of simple physical mixing of components or may involve chemical change
when silver is dissolved in nitric acid the solute of the resulting solution is not silver but silver nitrate formed by chemical interaction
(2) obsolete : the process of altering material (as by dissolving, fusing, or distilling) through the agency of heat
b. : a mixture formed by a process of solution and having the same chemical composition and physical properties throughout although the concentration can undergo continuous variation within definite limits depending upon the conditions: as
(1) : a single-phase liquid system in which the particles of dissolved solid, liquid, or gas are held to be molecules or ions — called also true solution ; often distinguished from emulsion, sol, suspension
(2) : a mixture of gases
(3) : solid solution
(4) : sol
c. : the condition of being dissolved or of constituting the solute of a solution
put the salt in solution in as little water as possible
broadly : a state of fluidity (as of material held in an emulsion or suspension)
d.
(1) : a liquid containing a dissolved substance
a watery solution of unknown composition
(2) : a liquid and usually aqueous medicinal preparation with the solid ingredients soluble
solutions are easier to administer than powders
3. : a bringing or coming to an end or into a state of discontinuity: as
a. : discharge of a contract by performance (as payment or release) : performance of an obligation
b. obsolete : a setting free : deliverance , discharge
c. : a separating from continuity of normally continuous parts : severance
a violent solution of the continuity of a joint
d. : an interruption of continuity : disruption , breach , break , dispersion
watched the gradual solution of the clouds as the storm moved on
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to apply a solution to ; especially : to cement with a solution (as of rubber)