a. [ L. absolvens, p. pr. of absolvere. ] Absolving. [ R. ] Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An absolver. [ R. ] Hobbes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. That which has the power of dissolving or melting other substances, esp. by mixture with them; a menstruum; a solvent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Melted in the crucible dissolvents. A. Smith. [ 1913 Webster ]

The secret treaty of December acted as an immediate dissolvent to the truce. Mothley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Med.) A remedy supposed capable of dissolving concretions in the body, such as calculi, tubercles, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. dissolvens, -entis, p. pr. of dissolvere. ] Having power to dissolve power to dissolve a solid body; as, the dissolvent juices of the stomach. Ray. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. in- not + solvent: cf. OF. insolvent. ] (Law) (a) Not solvent; not having sufficient estate to pay one's debts; unable to pay one's debts as they fall due, in the ordinary course of trade and business; as, in insolvent debtor. (b) Not sufficient to pay all the debts of the owner; as, an insolvent estate. (c) Relating to persons unable to pay their debts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Insolvent law, or
Act of insolvency, a law affording relief, -- subject to various modifications in different States, -- to insolvent debtors, upon their delivering up their property for the benefit of their creditors; bankruptcy law. See Bankrupt law, under Bankrupt, a. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) One who is insolvent; as insolvent debtor; -- in England, before 1861, especially applied to persons not traders. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not solvent; insolvent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An insolvent. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having power to resolve; causing solution; solvent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. resolvens, p. pr. of resolvere: cf. F. résolvant. See Resolve. ] 1. That which has the power of resolving, or causing solution; a solvent. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Med.) That which has power to disperse inflammatory or other tumors; a discutient; anything which aids the absorption of effused products. Coxe. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Math.) An equation upon whose solution the solution of a given pproblem depends. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. solvens, p. pr. of solvere. See Solvable. ] 1. Having the power of dissolving; dissolving; as, a solvent fluid. “The solvent body.” Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Able or sufficient to pay all just debts; as, a solvent merchant; the estate is solvent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A substance (usually liquid) suitable for, or employed in, solution, or in dissolving something; as, water is the appropriate solvent of most salts, alcohol of resins, ether of fats, and mercury or acids of metals, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which resolves; as, a solvent of mystery. [ 1913 Webster ]