Obs. [f. L. solūt-, ppl. stem of solvĕre SOLVE v.]
1. trans. To solve, explain, clear up.
In common use c. 1545–75.
1533. More, Answ. Poysoned Bk., Wks. 1092/1. He myght … haue soluted theyr question.
1551. T. Wilson, Logike, 64 b. Those that be good grammarians … can gaylie well solute such errours as be made by the mistaking of wordes.
1580. Fulke, Confut. Martial, iv. Wks. (Parker Soc.), II. 167. This question (he saith) is not soluted.
1654. [see the vbl. sb.].
b. To arrange, settle. rare–1.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 145. That if anye controuersie shall happen in this matter, he shall solute and appease the same.
2. To dissolve, nullify. rare–1.
1550. Edw. VI., Jrnl., etc. (Roxb.), 523. That the King of England … with consent of 6 of the ordre may chaung, overthrow,… and solute any thing that is or shalbe made hereafter concerning this ordre.
Hence † Soluting vbl. sb.
1534. Cranmer, Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.), II. 277. As well for the defence of the nun’s revelations, as for the soluting of my reasons.
1581. Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 172. This … serueth to the soluting of manie like kinde of cauillations.
1654. Z. Coke, Logick, 179. Of the loosing or soluting of Fallacies.
