Dis*solve" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Dissolved (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Dissolving.] [L. dissolvere,
dissolutum; dis- + solvere to loose, free. See
Solve, and cf. Dissolute.] 1. To
separate into competent parts; to disorganize; to break up; hence, to
bring to an end by separating the parts, sundering a relation, etc.;
to terminate; to destroy; to deprive of force; as, to dissolve
a partnership; to dissolve Parliament.
Lest his ungoverned rage dissolve the
life.
Shak.
2. To break the continuity of; to disconnect;
to disunite; to sunder; to loosen; to undo; to separate.
Nothing can dissolve us.
Shak.
Down fell the duke, his joints dissolved
asunder.
Fairfax.
For one people to dissolve the political bands
which have connected them with another.
The
Declaration of Independence.
3. To convert into a liquid by means of heat,
moisture, etc.,; to melt; to liquefy; to soften.
As if the world were all dissolved to
tears.
Shak.
4. To solve; to clear up; to resolve.
"Dissolved the mystery." Tennyson.
Make interpretations and dissolve
doubts.
Dan. v. 16.
5. To relax by pleasure; to make
powerless.
Angels dissolved in hallelujahs
lie.
Dryden.
6. (Law) To annul; to rescind; to
discharge or release; as, to dissolve an injunction.
Syn. -- See Adjourn.
Dis*solve", v. i. 1.
To waste away; to be dissipated; to be decomposed or broken
up.
2. To become fluid; to be melted; to be
liquefied.
A figure
Trenched in ice, which with an hour's heat
Dissolves to water, and doth lose his form.
Shak.
3. To fade away; to fall to nothing; to lose
power.
The charm dissolves apace.
Shak.
