Obs. Also 7 exolusion, exsolution. [ad. L. ex(s)olūtiōn-em, n. of action f. exsolvĕre: see next.]
1. The action of loosening or setting free; the state of being loosened or set free; esp. the emission or escape of ‘animal spirits’ formerly assumed as the cause of swooning.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 41. There is an exolusion, and so a defect of vitall spirits.
1634. T. Johnson, trans. Parey’s Chirurg., 805. An … exolution of the spirits like sowning.
1652. French, Yorksh. Spa, iv. 46. A canine appetite, & other ill symptomes caused by the exolution of the skin.
1657. Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 591. Honey … boyled to the exolution of the aqueous humidity.
1662. Stubbe, Ind. Nectar, i. 4. At that time of the year, our bodies suffer a greater exolution of Spirit.
¶ Used for: Dissolution, end.
1846. Dr. S. Brown, Hist. Sci., in Lectures (1858), I. 339. The evening … twilight of an era is always the time when the poets who are to … sing its … approaching exolution come abroad.
b. Relaxation (of the bodily powers); faintness.
1634. T. Johnson, trans. Parey’s Chirurg., XXII. xx. (1678), 504. By this kind of disease [Plague] there cometh … exsolution of the faculties.
1650. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep. (ed. 2), III. ix. 101. The exolution and languor ensuing that act [of spermaticall emission].
1651. Biggs, New Disp., ¶ 198. The exolution of the powers thence depending, would not bear those swift motions.
1674–81. in Blount, Glossogr.; whence 1692–1732 in Coles.
c. In mystical sense.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Hydriot., v. 83. If any have been so happy as truely to understand Christian annihilation, extasis, exolution.
2. ‘A full and perfect payment’ (Blount, Glossogr., 1674).
Hence 1692–1732. in Coles.
