solve

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   find the solution to a problem or question

   Did you solve the problem?

2. 2
   verb

   find the solution

   solve an equation

3. 3
   verb

   To find an answer or solution to a problem or question; to work out.

   True piety would effectually solve such scruples.

4. 4
   verb

   to find out the perpetrator, the motive etc (of crime)

   to solve a murder   to solve a crime

5. 5
   noun

   A solution; an explanation.

   The solve is this, that thou dost common grow.

6. 6
   verb

   settle, as of a debt

7. 7
   verb

   To find the values of variables that satisfy a system of equations and/or inequalities.

8. 8
   verb

   To algebraically manipulate an equation or inequality into a form that isolates a chosen variable on one side, so that the other side consists of an expression that may be used to generate solutions.

Etymology

From Middle English solven, from Latin solvō.