Dissolution
/ˌdɪsəˈluːʃən/
nounC1
Definition
Dissolution refers to the act of breaking up or ending something, like a company, marriage, or agreement. It can also mean when a solid substance disappears in a liquid, mixing completely. The word is often used in formal or serious situations.
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See It in Action
The formal ending or breaking up of a group, organization, or agreement
- •The dissolution of the company was announced after years of losses.
- •After their disagreement, the dissolution of their partnership was inevitable.
- •The parliament voted for the dissolution of the government.
The process where a solid substance disappears in a liquid by mixing completely
- •The dissolution of salt in water happens quickly when stirred.
- •Scientists studied the dissolution rate of the medicine in the stomach.
- •The dissolution of sugar in tea makes the drink sweet.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "dissolution" like "end" (A1 word), but it means a complete breaking apart or disappearing, not just stopping
- ✓Picture a sugar cube slowly melting and disappearing in a cup of tea until it is gone
- ✓It's the feeling when a friendship or team breaks apart and no longer exists as before
- ✓Sounds like "dis-solution" → imagine a solution (like sugar in water) that is being taken apart or undone ("dis-")
- ✓Think of famous stories where kingdoms or friendships dissolve and people must start new lives
- ✓NOT like "stop" (which can mean just pause or finish), dissolution means breaking down or disappearing fully
- ✓NOT like "break" (which can be temporary), dissolution is often permanent and complete
- ✓NOT like "melting" (physical change by heat), dissolution is mixing and disappearing into something else
- ✓NOT like "separation" (just pulling apart), dissolution means the parts no longer exist as before—they vanish or end fully
Try Other Words
- •Termination: the act of ending something (Use when focusing on the stopping point, especially in formal or legal contexts)
- •Disintegration: breaking into parts or falling apart (Use when emphasizing physical or structural breaking)
- •Melting: changing from solid to liquid by heat (Use when talking about physical change by heat, not mixing)
- •Breakup: informal term for ending a relationship or group (Use in casual speech about relationships or teams)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "dis-" (apart, away) + root "solution" (the act of solving or dissolving)
- •Etymology: From Latin "dissolutio," meaning "a loosening, breaking apart"
- •Historical development: Originally used to mean breaking or loosening of bonds or ties, later expanded to legal and chemical meanings
- •Modern usage: Common in law, chemistry, and formal speech to describe ending or disappearing processes
- •Key insight: It always involves something being undone or broken down fully, either physically or socially
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of dissolution help us understand endings that are not simple stops but complete changes?
•Can dissolution be positive, like clearing away old things to make space for new ones? When might it be necessary?
Fill in the blanks
1.The dissolution of the company happened because of ___ financial problems and disagreements.
2.When sugar undergoes dissolution in water, it ___ completely and cannot be seen.
3.Unlike a temporary pause, dissolution means the group ___ and no longer exists.
4.The parliament announced the dissolution of government, which means they decided to ___ it officially.
5.Scientists measure the rate of dissolution to understand how fast a medicine ___ in the body.
6.After years of conflict, the dissolution of their friendship was ___ and final.
7.Dissolution often involves the ___ of parts into a whole or the complete ending of a relationship.