1 [V] ~ (in sth) (of a solid) to mix with a liquid and become part of it:
Salt dissolves in water. * Heat gently until the sugar dissolves.
2 [VN] ~ sth (in sth) to make a solid become part of a liquid:
Dissolve the tablet in water.
3 [VN] to officially end a marriage, business agreement or parliament:
Their marriage was dissolved in 1989. * The election was announced and parliament was dissolved.
4 (written) to disappear; to make sth disappear:
[V] When the ambulance had gone, the crowd dissolved. * [VN] His calm response dissolved her anger.
5 [V] ~ into laughter, tears, etc. to suddenly start laughing, crying, etc:
When the teacher looked up, the children dissolved into giggles. * Every time she heard his name, she dissolved into tears.
6 ~ (sth) (away) to remove or destroy sth, especially by a chemical process; to be destroyed in this way:
[VN] a new detergent that dissolves stains * [V] All the original calcium had dissolved away.
