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dis·so·lu·tion

(dĭs′ə-lshən)

1. Decomposition into fragments or parts; disintegration.

2. Indulgence in sensual pleasures; debauchery.

3. Termination or extinction by disintegration or dispersion: The dissolution of the empire was remarkably swift.

4. Extinction of life; death.

5. Annulment or termination of a formal or legal bond or relationship.

6. Formal dismissal of an assembly or legislature.

7. Reduction to a liquid form; liquefaction.

disso·lu′tive adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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