< Back
solvent
Definition
A solvent is a liquid that can dissolve other substances. For example, water is a solvent that can dissolve sugar and salt.
In a solution, the solvent is the liquid that is the majority of the mixture. The solute is the substance that is dissolved in the solvent.
In the example of salt water, the solvent is water and the solute is salt. The salt is dissolved in the water, and it evenly distributes throughout the solution.
How can the word be used?
The solvent was added to the mixture to dissolve the solids.
Different forms of the word
Solvent (adjective): A substance that can dissolve another substance. For example, water is a solvent for salt.
Solvent (noun): A liquid that can dissolve other substances. For example, paint thinner is a solvent for paint.
Solvent (verb): To dissolve a substance in a solvent. For example, to dissolve salt in water, you would add salt to water and stir until the salt is dissolved.
Etymology
The etymology of the word "solvent" can be traced back to the Latin word "solventem", which is the present participle of the verb "solvere", meaning "to loosen" or "to dissolve". The word "solvent" first appeared in English in the 1650s, and it has been used to refer to a substance that can dissolve another substance ever since.
Question
What is a solvent?