Definition of the word dissolve

The word "dissolve" has its roots in Latin. In Latin, the verb "dissolvere" means "to undo, to loose, or to dissolve." It is a combination of "dis-" (meaning "apart" or "away") and "solvere" (meaning "to loose" or "to untie"). When something is dissolved, it literally means it is being undone or taken apart. This Latin verb was borrowed into Middle English, with the first recorded use of the word "dissolve" in the 13th century. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include not just physical separation, but also the disbanding of organizations, the elimination of debts, and even the breaking down of emotional bonds. In modern English, "dissolve" can have a variety of meanings, from chemistry (the process of mixing two substances together to form a new one) to figurative language (e.g., "his relationships started to dissolve under the pressure of stress").