Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for DIS-SO-LU'TION
DIS'SO-LUTE-NESSDIS-SOLV'A-BLE
DIS-SO-LU'TION, n. [L. dissolutio, from dissolvo.]
- In a general sense, the separation of the parts of a body which, in the natural structure, are united; or the reduction of concrete bodies into their smallest parts, without regard to solidity or fluidity. Thus we speak of the dissolution of salts in water, of metals in nitro-muriatic acid, and of ice or butter by heat; in which cases, the dissolution is effected by a menstruum or particular agent. We speak also of the dissolution of flesh or animal bodies, when the parts separate by putrefaction. Dissolution then is,
- The act of liquefying or changing from a solid to a fluid state by heat; a melting; a thawing; as, the dissolution of snow and ice, which converts them into water.
- The reduction of a body into its smallest parts, or into very minute parts, by a dissolvent or menstruum, as of a metal by nitro-muriatic acid, or of salts in water.
- The separation of the parts of a body by putrefaction, or the analysis of the natural structure of mixed bodies, as of animal or vegetable substances; decomposition.
- The substance formed by dissolving a body in a menstruum. [This is now called a solution.] – Bacon.
- Death; the separation of the soul and body. – Milton.
- Destruction; the separation of the parts which compose a connected system, or body; as, the dissolution of the world, or of nature; the dissolution of government.
- The breaking up of an assembly, or the putting an end to its existence. Dissolution is the civil death of parliament. – Blackstone.
- Looseness of manners; dissipation. – Taylor. South. In this latter sense the word is obsolete, dissoluteness being substituted.
- Dissolution of the blood, in medicine, that state of the blood, in which it does not readily coagulate, on its cooling out of the body, as in malignant fevers. – Cyc.
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