First Known Use: 1630
Dictionary
1solvent
adjective sol·vent \-vənt\
: able to pay debts
Full Definition of SOLVENT
1
: able to pay all legal debts <a solvent company>
2
: that dissolves or can dissolve <solvent action of water>
— sol·vent·ly adverb
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Origin of SOLVENT
Latin solvent-, solvens, present participle of solvere to dissolve, pay
2solvent
noun
: a liquid substance that is used to dissolve another substance
Full Definition of SOLVENT
1
: a usually liquid substance capable of dissolving or dispersing one or more other substances
2
: something that provides a solution
3
: something that eliminates or attenuates something especially unwanted
— sol·vent·less \-ləs\ adjective
See solvent defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SOLVENT
1671
SOLVENTLY Defined for Kids
solvent
noun sol·vent \ˈsäl-vənt, ˈsȯl-\
Definition of SOLVENT for Kids
: a usually liquid substance in which other substances can be dissolved or dispersed <Turpentine is a solvent for paint.>
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