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Webster 1913 Edition


Solve

Solve

(sŏlv)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Solved
(sŏlvd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Solving
.]
[L.
solvere
,
solutum
; from a prefix
so-
expressing separation (cf.
Sober
) +
luere
to loosen; cf. OF.
soldre
,
soudre
. See
Loose
, and cf.
Absolve
.]
To explain; to resolve; to unfold; to clear up (what is obscure or difficult to be understood); to work out to a result or conclusion;
as, to
solve
a doubt; to
solve
difficulties; to
solve
a problem
.
True piety would effectually
solve
such scruples.
South.
God shall
solve
the dark decrees of fate.
Tickell.
Syn. – To explain; resolve; unfold; clear up.

Solve

,
Noun.
A solution; an explanation.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition


Solve

SOLVE

,
Verb.
T.
solv. [L. solvo.]
1.
Properly, to loosen or separate the parts of any thing; hence, to explain; to resolve; to eclaircise; to unfold; to clear up; as what is obscure or difficult to be understood; as, to solve questions; to solve difficulties or a problem. When God shall solve the dark decrees of fate.
2.
To remove; to dissipate; as, to solve doubts.

Definition 2024


solve

solve

See also: solvé

English

Verb

solve (third-person singular simple present solves, present participle solving, simple past and past participle solved)

  1. To find an answer or solution to a problem or question; to work out.
    • South
      True piety would effectually solve such scruples.
    • Tickell
      God shall solve the dark decrees of fate.
    • 2013 June 1, Ideas coming down the track”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, page 13 (Technology Quarterly):
      A “moving platform” scheme [] is more technologically ambitious than maglev trains even though it relies on conventional rails. Local trains would use side-by-side rails to roll alongside intercity trains and allow passengers to switch trains by stepping through docking bays. This set-up solves several problems [].
  2. (mathematics) To find the values of variables that satisfy a system of equations and/or inequalities.
  3. (mathematics) To algebraically manipulate an equation or inequality into a form that isolates a chosen variable on one side, so that the other side consists of an expression that may be used to generate solutions.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

solve (plural solves)

  1. (obsolete) A solution; an explanation.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)

Anagrams


Italian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈsɔl.ve/

Verb

solve

  1. third-person singular present indicative of solvere

Anagrams


Latin

Pronunciation

  • (Classical) IPA(key): /ˈsol.we/, [ˈsɔɫ.wɛ]

Verb

solve

  1. second-person singular present active imperative of solvō

References