dissoluble

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   capable of being dissolved or broken down into constituent parts

   The chemist tested whether the mineral was dissoluble in dilute acid.

2. 2
   adj

   capable of being ended, annulled, or severed

   The treaty created a union dissoluble only by unanimous agreement.

From Latin dissolubilis, 'capable of being dissolved,' from dissolvere, formed from dis- ('apart') + solvere ('loosen, release'). The same underlying idea of loosening parts explains both physical solubility and the formal ending of a bond or agreement.

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