Forms: 4–5 solucioun, -tioun, 4–6 solucion(e, 6 solucyon(e, solyssion, 6– solution. [a. OF. solucion, -tion (mod.F. solution, = Sp. solucion, It. soluzione) or ad. L. solūtiōn-, solūtio, f. ppl. stem of solvĕre SOLVE v.]
I. 1. The action or process of solving; the state, condition or fact of being solved.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, I. 259. I leve all the solucioun Till thaim that ar off mar renoun.
c. 1420. Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 2022. Yef hit had be nomore but for the solucion Of my demaunde and of thys straunge vysyon.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 255. The solution of a questyon moued of his sayd blessed deth.
1551. T. Wilson, Logike (1580), 26 b. Thyne argument … needed then no solution at all.
1620. T. Granger, Div. Logike, 316. The answering and solution of all his obiections against vs.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., III. 191. The Solutions of all those former Difficulties are reserved for you … to gratifie Posterity withall.
1736. Gentl. Mag., VI. 476. The famous Mr. Leibnitz … own’d that the Solutions of such Problems as these … was a very difficult Task.
1784. Cowper, Task, II. 520. Knots worthy of solution, which alone A Deity could solve.
1838. De Morgan, Ess. Probab., 93. The use of the tables at the end of this work, in the solution of complicated questions.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 91/1. A difficult problem of mixed law and fact for solution by the judges.
b. A particular instance or method of solving or settling; an explanation, answer or decision.
1382. Wyclif, Dan. ii. 25. A man … that shal telle to the kyng the solucioun.
1401. Polit. Poems (Rolls), II. 73. And so thes similitudes, with thes soluciones, ben not worthe the devellis dirt.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), III. 99. Daniel the prophete ȝafe a solucion of a vision to Nabugodonosor in Caldea.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., XXXII. (Percy Soc.), 157. Now have I answered you your question, And I pray you of a lyke solucion.
1596. Bp. W. Barlow, Three Serm., iii. 126. This may serue for a short solution.
1667. Pepys, Diary, 1 May. Expecting the solution of the Judges in this point.
1681. Hallywell, Melampronœa, Title-p., A Solution of the chiefest Objections brought against the Being of Witches.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 21, ¶ 6. He might have found a better Solution for this Difficulty, than any of those he has made use of.
1774. Pennant, Tour Scotl. in 1772, 233. This solution of mine is absolutely denied.
1813. Sir H. Davy, Agric. Chem., ii. (1814), 33. These facts afford a rational solution of this curious problem.
1854. Froude, Short Stud., Spinoza (1867), 241. Undoubtedly it provides a solution for every difficulty.
1884. J. Quincy, Figures of Past, 376. These hard names furnish no solution to the problem he presents to us.
c. Med. The termination or crisis of a disease.
1851. Dunglison, Med. Lex., Solution,… means, also, with many, the termination of a disease:—… a termination accompanied by critical signs;—and, with others, again, it is synonymous with crisis.
† 2. The action of releasing or setting free; deliverance, release. Obs.
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron. (1811), 407. He alonely opteyned nat solucion of his othe, but also … was declaryd kynge of Scicill.
1550. Bale, Eng. Votaries, II. 12. Immediately after thys solucyon or settynge at large of Sathan.
1655. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1687), 88/2. That as death is the solution of the Soul from the Body, so is it the office of a Philosopher to free the Soul from corporeal affections.
1659. H. More, Immort. Soul, III. xviii. After this solution of the Souls or Spirits of Wicked Men and Dæmons from their Vehicles.
† 3. The action of paying; a payment. Obs.
1489. Sc. Acts, Jas. IV. (1814), II. 222/2. Anent the Recuperatioun … of annuale Rentis in burgh, in falt of Solutioun and payment of the annualis.
1526. Ord. Househ. (1790), 229. To the intent the decomptants … may take out the Solutions entred into the said Bookes whereby they may strike their Lydgers.
1563–4. Sarum Churchw. Acc. (Swayne, 1896), 109. Allowans for suche solucyones.
1623. Cockeram, I. Solution, a payment.
a. 1722. Sir J. Lauder, Decisions, Suppl. (1826), III. 280. It neither being by solution, nor other transaction, importing the consent of the creditor thereto.
4. The action of discharging or fulfilling.
1869. Austin’s Lect. Jurispr., lv. II. 915. The Roman Lawyers themselves talk of … the solution or the redemption of obligations.
II. 5. The action of dissolving, or changing from a solid or gaseous to a liquid state, by means of a fluid or solvent; the state or fact of being so dissolved.
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 86. Ferst of the distillacion, Forth with the congelacion, Solucion, descencion [etc.].
1471. Ripley, Comp. Alch., II. i. in Ashm., Theatr. (1652), 135. Of Solucion now wyll I speke a word or two.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 274. Solution, a principal part of Chymical practice, whereby the incorporation of things coagulated, is dissolved and attenuated.
a. 1665. K. Digby, Chym. Secr., II. 221. Repeat these solutions seven or eight times.
1791. W. Hamilton, trans. Berthollet’s Dyeing, I. 5. The solution of indigo in the sulphuric (vitriolic) acid.
1800. Henry, Epit. Chem. (1808), 15. Mechanical agitation facilitates solution.
1870. Tyndall, Lect. Electr., 2. The effect in both cases is … the solution of the zinc, and the liberation of the hydrogen gas.
† b. The action of fusing, melting or distilling by means of heat. Obs. rare.
a. 1676. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man. (1677), 9. They find by their solutions by Fire, some things which they call by these Names, to be that whereinto Bodies are dissolved.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 425/1. By Distillation, or Solution, is an extracting of Liquors by force of heat.
c. transf. Fusion, combination.
1820. Keats, St. Agnes, xxxvi. The rose Blendeth its odour with the violet,—Solution sweet.
6. A more or less fluid substance produced by the process of solution (see 5); a liquid or semi-liquid preparation obtained by the combination of a solid with a solvent.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., III. 60. A good solucion of salt in oile.
1677. Grew, Anat. Pl. (1682), 297. I put to this Solution of Nitre, two Drachms of Sal Armoniac; which wholly and easily dissolved in the said Solution.
1705. Arbuthnot, Coins, etc. (1727), 326. He commends … a Solution of Opium in Water to foment the Forehead.
1790. Phil. Trans., 359, note. I have therefore confined the word solution to express the substance dissolved together with its solvent.
1811. A. T. Thomson, Lond. Disp. (1818), 469. A solution of lime should be put into the last bottle.
1855. Orr’s Circ. Sci., Elem. Chem., 13. We … term the liquid which is obtained a solution of salt in water.
1875. Darwin, Insectiv. Plants, v. 80. Drops of a solution about as thick as milk.
fig. 1858. O. W. Holmes, Aut. Breakf.-t., iii. 24. Society is a strong solution of books.
7. A dissolved state or condition. Freq. state of solution.
(a) 1802. Paley, Nat. Theol., xxi. § 3 (1819), 333. Keeping things in a state of solution, that is to say, in a state of fluidity.
1837. P. Keith, Bot. Lex., 90. Animal or vegetable substances in a state of solution.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 115. Certain chemical compounds in a state of solution.
transf. 1859. Habits Gd. Society, v. 211. Their partners appear in a most disagreeable condition of solution.
(b) 1802. Playfair, Illustr. Hutton. Th. Earth, 494. The volume of the water … necessary to hold in solution the materials of this shell.
1856. Ruskin, Mod. Paint., IV. V. ix. § 4. As they congealed from their fluid state, whether of watery solution or fiery fusion.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 202. The water generally holds silica in solution.
fig. 1870. Lowell, Among my Bks., Ser. I. 297. His [sc. Lessing’s] was a mind always in solution.
1877. Talmage, Serm., 338. A tear … is agony in solution.
8. attrib., as solution jar, lake, -tub.
1867. Tomlinson’s Cycl. Usef. Arts, App. 14/1. The mouth of the solution jar was again closed.
1877. Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 393. The liquid which runs out of the solution-tubs runs into tanks.
1894. Pop. Sci. Monthly, XLV. June, 281/2. In limestone countries, solution lakes are not uncommon.
III. 9. Solution of continuity: a. Med. (Also of connection, of unity.) The separation from each other of normally continuous parts of the body by external or internal causes.
1541. R. Copland, Galyen’s Terap., 2. A ij. We haue sayd that there is a kynde of dysease, that is called solution of contynuyte. Ibid. There be other kyndes of solutions of continuite.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Of Vnity in Relig. (Arb.), 423. As in the Naturall Body, a Wound or Solution of Continuity is worse then a Corrupt Humor.
1656. Ridgley, Pract. Physick, 44. This proceeds from solution of continuity of the Veins and Arteries.
1668. Culpepper & Cole, Barthol. Anat., I. xxviii. 67. In which case also it is necessary that there be a Solution of the Connexion of the Neck.
1707. Floyer, Physic. Pulse-Watch, 101. The organic Diseases, and the solution of Unity, must be known by the Signs of the particular Diseases.
1748. Hartley, Observ. Man, I. i. § 1. 36. In manifest Solutions of Continuity occasioned by Wounds, Burns, &c.
1818. E. Thompson, Cullen’s Nosologia Meth. (1820), 264. Vulnus, a recent, bloody solution of continuity in a soft part, by a hard body.
1835–6. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., I. 794/1. The consequent solution of connection between the various parts of the body.
ellipt. 1580. Blundevil, Horsemanship, T iij b. If such solution or diuision be in a bone, then is it called a fracture.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 86. The solution of a Veine is known by blood of red colour and thick substance.
b. transf. and fig. A breach, break or interruption.
1654. Bramhall, Just Vind., ii. (1661), 14. Schisme is … solution of continuity in the body Ecclesiastick.
1656. trans. Hobbes’ Elem. Philos. (1839), 475. Even the hardest things are broken asunder … by solution of their continuity begun in the outermost superficies.
1707. Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 77. The Solution of Continuity may hinder the Juice from mounting.
1750. Franklin, Lett., Wks. 1840, V. 243. If there be the least crack, the minutest solution of continuity in the glass.
1799. E. Du Bois, Piece Family Biog., II. 201. Some there are…, who, admitting no solution of continuity in their story, deny any place of rest to … the wearied reader.
1819. Scott, Leg. Montrose, xxiii. Rents, and open seams,… might presage a similar solution of continuity in your matrimonial happiness.
1863. Tyndall, Heat, xii. 408. Magnificent gradations of color, one fading into another without solution of continuity.
1886. Manch. Exam., 9 Jan., 5/3. There will be no solution of continuity in this important department of public affairs.
10. The action of breaking up or separating; dissolution; bringing to an end.
1655. H. Vaughan, Silex Scint., L’Envoy, Frustrate those cancerous, close arts, Which cause solution in all parts, And strike them dumb.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., iii. 6. The Death of Christ upon the Cross was the solution of the Ceremonial Law of Moses.
1689. Locke, Civil Govt., § 80 (1694), 225. Easie and frequent Solutions of Conjugal Society.
1899. Westm. Gaz., 30 Oct., 2/1. That Boer policy had not for its aim the solution of British supremacy in South Africa.
† 11. The action of rendering loose or slack. Obs.
1681. trans. Willis’ Remaining Med. Wks., Vocab., Solution, A loosning or weakning, as of the Nerves or joynts.
Hence Solutional a., pertaining to a solution.
1903. Nature, 3 Dec., 103/2. The persistence of the solutional nucleus.
