solvent
Translation
solvent
Examples
Water is a universal solvent.
Water is a universal solvent.
He used a solvent to remove the paint.
He used a solvent to remove the paint.
Grammar Patterns
a/the solvent a liquid that dissolves sth. Water is a universal solvent.
Similar Words
Synonyms: dissolvent, thinner; Antonyms: solute
Etymology
From Latin 'solvere' meaning 'to dissolve, loosen'. The '-ent' suffix indicates an agent, so it's something that 'does the dissolving'.
Memory Tips
A 'solvent' is the substance that does the 'solving' (dissolving) of another substance (the solute) in a solution.