/sɑlv/, /sɔlv/, [sɔ(ː)ɫv]
OriginFrom Middle English solven, from Latin solvō.
- To find an answer or solution to a problem or question; to work out.
“True piety would effectually solve such scruples.”
“God shall solve the dark decrees of fate.”
“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 tra”
- to find out the perpetrator, the motive etc (of crime)
“to solve a murder to solve a crime”
- To find the values of variables that satisfy a system of equations and/or inequalities.
- 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.
- transitiveTo loosen or separate the parts of.
- archaic, transitiveTo dissolve
- archaicA solution; an explanation.
“The solve is this, that thou dost common grow.”
“KEVIN: I decided a long time ago that just because I love Raymond, doesn't mean I have to love the people he works with. Good solve, Detective.”
““Hey, Mr. Quilt Bandit.”
Ian smiled. “Nice solve, Nancy Drew.””
Formssolves(present, singular, third-person) · solving(participle, present) · solved(participle, past) · solved(past) · solves(plural)