Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A substance dissolved in another substance, usually the component of a solution present in the lesser amount.
  • adjective Being in solution; dissolved.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To dissolve; also, to resolve; answer; absolve.
  • Loose; free.
  • Relaxed; hence, joyous; merry.
  • In botany, free; not adhering; opposed to adnate: as, a solute stipule.
  • Soluble: as. a solute salt.
  • noun The substance dissolved in a given solution: as, a solution is composed of solvent and solute.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective obsolete Loose; free; liberal.
  • adjective rare Relaxed; hence; merry; cheerful.
  • adjective obsolete Soluble.
  • adjective (Bot.) Not adhering; loose; -- opposed to adnate.
  • transitive verb obsolete To dissolve; to resolve.
  • transitive verb obsolete To absolve.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Loose; free; liberal
  • noun Any substance that is dissolved in a liquid solvent to create a solution
  • verb obsolete To dissolve.
  • verb obsolete To absolve.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the dissolved matter in a solution; the component of a solution that changes its state

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[From Middle English, loose, porous, from Latin solūtus, past participle of solvere, to loosen; see leu- in Indo-European roots.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin solutus.

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Examples

  • A solute is the substance that dissolves in a liquid.

    Recently Uploaded Slideshows 2009

  • The chemical that dissolves is called the solute, the liquid that causes it to dissolve is called the solvent, while the final mixture is called the solution.

    Taipei Times 2008

  • The chemical that dissolves is called the solute, the liquid that causes it to dissolve is called the solvent, while the final mixture is called the solution.

    Taipei Times 2008

  • The chemical that dissolves is called the solute, the liquid that causes it to dissolve is called the solvent, while the final mixture is called the solution.

    Taipei Times 2008

  • The chemical that dissolves is called the solute, the liquid that causes it to dissolve is called the solvent, while the final mixture is called the solution.

    Taipei Times 2008

  • The chemical that dissolves is called the solute, the liquid that causes it to dissolve is called the solvent, while the final mixture is called the solution.

    Taipei Times 2008

  • The chemical that dissolves is called the solute, the liquid that causes it to dissolve is called the solvent, while the final mixture is called the solution.

    Taipei Times 2008

  • The above reference to the word "solute" is too technical and seemingly not clear to the average reader.

    Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium - Recent changes [en] 2008

  • Will "solute" suit you, or is that term, from high school chemistry,

    Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium - Recent changes [en] 2008

  • Will "solute" suit you, or is that term, from high school chemistry,

    Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium - Recent changes [en] 2008

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