Third person singular present of dissolve; to become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution, or to cause something to disappear gradually.
From Latin dissolvere, combining dis- (apart) and solvere (to loosen). The word entered English in the 14th century, initially meaning to break apart or disintegrate.
In chemistry, dissolving is actually a dance between molecules - the solvent molecules surround and separate the solute particles. The phrase 'dissolve into tears' beautifully captures how overwhelming emotion can make someone seem to melt away.
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