/ English Dictionary |
SOLUTION
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The successful action of solving a problem
Example:
the solution took three hours
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("solution" is a kind of...):
success (an attainment that is successful)
Derivation:
solve (find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A method for solving a problem
Example:
the easy solution is to look it up in the handbook
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("solution" is a kind of...):
method (a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "solution"):
silver bullet (a simple guaranteed solution for a difficult problem)
Sense 3
Meaning:
A statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
Example:
he computed the result to four decimal places
Synonyms:
answer; resolution; result; solution; solvent
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("solution" is a kind of...):
statement (a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "solution"):
denouement (the final resolution of the main complication of a literary or dramatic work)
Sense 4
Meaning:
The set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation
Synonyms:
root; solution
Classified under:
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects
Hypernyms ("solution" is a kind of...):
set ((mathematics) an abstract collection of numbers or symbols)
Sense 5
Meaning:
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution
Example:
he used a solution of peroxide and water
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("solution" is a kind of...):
mixture ((chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding))
Domain member category:
congo red (a red-brown azo dye especially as a chemical pH indicator (congo red is red in basic and blue in acidic solutions))
fluorescein; fluoresceine; fluorescent dye; resorcinolphthalein (a yellow dye that is visible even when highly diluted; used as an absorption indicator when silver nitrate solution is added to sodium chloride in order to precipitate silver chloride (turns pink when no chloride ions are left in solution and negative fluorescein ions are then absorbed))
solubility (the quantity of a particular substance that can dissolve in a particular solvent (yielding a saturated solution))
N; normality ((of a solution) concentration expressed in gram equivalents of solute per liter)
saltiness (the property of containing salt (as a compound or in solution))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "solution"):
toner (a solution containing chemicals that can change the color of a photographic print)
Gram's solution (a solution used in staining bacteria by Gram's method; consists of one part iodine and two parts potassium iodide and 300 parts water)
sal volatile; spirits of ammonia (a solution of ammonium carbonate in ammonia water and alcohol)
primary solid solution; solid solution (a homogeneous solid that can exist over a range of component chemicals; a constituent of alloys that is formed when atoms of an element are incorporated into the crystals of a metal)
sap (a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant)
liquid bleach (a solution containing bleaching agents; used for laundry)
isosmotic solution; isotonic solution (a solution having the same osmotic pressure as blood)
injectant; injection (any solution that is injected (as into the skin))
extract; infusion (a solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water))
gargle; mouthwash (a medicated solution used for gargling and rinsing the mouth)
formalin; formol (a 10% solution of formaldehyde in water; used as a disinfectant or to preserve biological specimens)
Fehling's solution (a liquid solution of copper sulfate and potassium tartrate and sodium hydroxide that is used to test for sugar in the urine; solution turns reddish when sugar is present)
eluate (a liquid solution that results from elution)
electrolyte (a solution that conducts electricity)
dilution (a diluted solution)
conjugate; conjugate solution (a mixture of two partially miscible liquids A and B produces two conjugate solutions: one of A in B and another of B in A)
chlorine water (an aqueous solution of chlorine used as a bleaching agent)
collodion (a colorless syrupy solution of pyroxylin in ether and alcohol; used as a coating for wounds or photographic films)
buffer solution (a solution containing a buffer)
bleach liquor (a solution containing bleaching agents that is used to bleach textiles or paper pulp)
aqueous solution (a solution in water)
brine (a strong solution of salt and water used for pickling)
Context examples:
A substance holding another substance in solution or suspension.
(Medium, NCI Thesaurus)
It may be that the solution of the one may prove to be the solution of the other.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin is used in a solution to stimulate the immune system in the treatment of bladder cancer and as a vaccine to prevent tuberculosis.
(bacillus Calmette-Guérin, NCI Dictionary)
Maud saw that I had achieved a solution, and her eyes warmed sympathetically.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
One knew that thus, and only thus, could a solution be found.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Do you accept my solution of the mystery?
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
The solution of this problem is our immediate duty.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I am as far as ever from a solution now.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
It is given through a catheter that is placed into the bladder where the solution is held for about two hours.
(bacillus Calmette-Guérin solution, NCI Dictionary)
A solution intended for administration to the surface of the mucosa membranes.
(Mucous Membrane Topical Solution Dosage Form, NCI Thesaurus)