Definitions for: Solution


[n] the successful action of solving a problem; "the solution took three hours"
[n] a method for solving a problem; "the easy solution is to look it up in the handbook"
[n] a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem; "they were trying to find a peaceful solution"; "the answers were in the back of the book"; "he computed the result to four decimal places"
[n] the set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation
[n] a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution; "he used a solution of peroxide and water"



Webster (1913) Definition: So*lu"tion (s[-o]*l[=u]"sh[u^]n), n. [OE. solucion,
OF. solucion, F. solution, fr. L. solutio, fr. solvere,
solutum, to loosen, dissolve. See Solve.]
1. The act of separating the parts of any body, or the
condition of undergoing a separation of parts; disruption;
breach.

In all bodies there is an appetite of union and
evitation of solution of continuity. --Bacon.

2. The act of solving, or the state of being solved; the
disentanglement of any intricate problem or difficult
question; explanation; clearing up; -- used especially in
mathematics, either of the process of solving an equation
or problem, or the result of the process.

3. The state of being dissolved or disintegrated; resolution;
disintegration.

It is unquestionably an enterprise of more promise
to assail the nations in their hour of faintness and
solution, than at a time when magnificent and
seductive systems of worship were at their height of
energy and splendor. --I. Taylor.

4. (Chem.Phys.) The act or process by which a body (whether
solid, liquid, or gaseous) is absorbed into a liquid, and,
remaining or becoming fluid, is diffused throughout the
solvent; also, the product reulting from such absorption.

Note: When a solvent will not take in any more of a substance
the solution is said to be saturated. Solution is two
kinds; viz.: (a) Mechanical solution, in which no
marked chemical change takes place, and in which, in
the case of solids, the dissolved body can be regained
by evaporation, as in the solution of salt or sugar in
water. (b) Chemical solution, in which there is
involved a decided chemical change, as when limestone
or zinc undergoes solution in hydrochloric acid.
Mechanical solution is regarded as a form of
molecular or atomic attraction, and is probably
occasioned by the formation of certain very weak and
unstable compounds which are easily dissociated and
pass into new and similar compounds.

Note: This word is not used in chemistry or mineralogy for
fusion, or the melting of bodies by the heat of fire.

5. release; deliverance; discharge. [Obs.] --Barrow.

6. (Med.)
(a) The termination of a disease; resolution.
(b) A crisis.
(c) A liquid medicine or preparation (usually aqueous) in
which the solid ingredients are wholly soluble. --U.
S. Disp.

Fehling's solution (Chem.), a standardized solution of
cupric hydrate in sodium potassium tartrate, used as a
means of determining the reducing power of certain sugars
and sirups by the amount of red cuprous oxide thrown down.


Heavy solution (Min.), a liquid of high density, as a
solution of mercuric iodide in potassium iodide (called
the Sonstadt or Thoulet solution) having a maximum
specific gravity of 3.2, or of borotungstate of cadium
(Klein solution, specific gravity 3.6), and the like. Such
solutions are much used in determining the specific
gravities of minerals, and in separating them when
mechanically mixed as in a pulverized rock.

Nessler's solution. See Nesslerize.

Solution of continuity, the separation of connection, or of
connected substances or parts; -- applied, in surgery, to
a fracture, laceration, or the like. ``As in the natural
body a wound, or solution of continuity, is worse than a
corrupt humor, so in the spiritual.'' --Bacon.

Standardized solution (Chem.), a solution which is used as
a reagent, and is of a known and standard strength;
specifically, a normal solution, containing in each cubic
centimeter as many milligrams of the element in question
as the number representing its atomic weight; thus, a
normal solution of silver nitrate would contain 107.7 mgr.
of silver nitrate in each cubic centimeter.

Synonyms: answer, resolution, result, root, solvent

See Also: aqueous solution, bleach liquor, brine, buffer solution, chlorine water, collodion, conjugate, conjugate solution, denouement, dilution, electrolyte, eluate, extract, Fehling's solution, formalin, formol, gargle, infusion, injectant, injection, isosmotic solution, isotonic solution, liquid bleach, method, mixture, mouthwash, primary solid solution, sal volatile, sap, set, solid solution, spirits of ammonia, statement, success, toner

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