solution English · revision 3025

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1375, Barbour|origins=la solvō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /səˈluː.ʃᵊn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|solucioun]],^(Etymonline) [[bor|fro|solucion|t=division, dissolving, explanation, payment]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and directly from [[la|solūtiō|t=a loosening, unfastening]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|solūtus]], past participle of [[m|la|solvere|t=to loosen, untie, solve, dissolve]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[ine-pro|*se-lu-]], from [[ine-pro|*s(w)e-]], the reflexive pronoun, and [[ine-pro|*leu-|t=to loosen]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The act of solving, explanation: 1375, in Barbour's ''The Bruce''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the late 14th century the word also meant the interpretation of a dream.^(Etymonline) A particular answer or way of settling a problem is from 1382.^(OED 1989) The action of dissolving a solid in a liquid is from 1390, in Gower's ''Confessio Amantis'',^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) and the liquid containing a dissolved substance from 1594,^(Barnhart 1988) the 1590s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) In medicine it was the crisis of a disease (1851).^(OED 1989) The obsolete senses “release” and “payment” (1489) echo the Latin “loosening”.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1375 – the act of solving.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – an answer to a problem.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1390 – the act of dissolving.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1489 – a payment.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1594 – a liquid with something dissolved in it.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1851 – the crisis of a disease.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A way of solving a [[problem]], or the answer to one.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A [[homogeneous]] mixture of two or more substances, usually a solid dissolved in a liquid.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The process of [[dissolve|alt=dissolving]], or the state of being dissolved.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[solutional]]

+ * [[exsolution]]

+ * [[nonsolution]]

+ * [[pseudosolution]]

+ * [[solion]]

+ * [[final solution]]

+ * [[Benedict's solution]]

+ * [[Dobell's solution]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[solve]]

+ * [[dissolve]]

+ * [[absolve]]

+ * [[resolve]]

+ * [[soluble]]

+ * [[solvent]]

+ * [[lose]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}