Etymology Borrowed from Latin solutus, past participle of solvo.
1
Free; liberal; loose.
a solute interpretation
The Interpretations of the Scriptures are of two ſorts: Methodical, and Solute, or at large, […]1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 112, verso:
2
Relaxed; hence, cheerful, merry.
So ſung Philander, as his Friend went round / In the rich Ichor, in the gen'rous Blood / Of Bacchus, purple God of joyous Wit, / A Brow ſolute, and ever-laughing Eye.1742, [Edward Young], “Night the Second. On Time, Death, Friendship. […]”, in The Complaint: Or, Night-Thoughts on Life, Death, & Immortality, London: […] [Samuel Richardson] for A[ndrew] Millar […], and R[obert] Dodsley […], published 1750, →OCLC, page 44:
3
Able to be dissolved; soluble.
a solute salt
4
Biology, Botany, Natural sciences Not adhering; loose.
In summer, the action of the air as a menstruum, is rendered so powerful by the increase of heat, that water is immediately and intimately combined with it: for when the particles of water are influenced by heat, and acted upon by a dry, warm air, they easilty rise therein, and become soluted in the atmosphere.1794, William Amos, The Theory and Practice of the Drill-Husbandry, Etc, page 35:
In the present day they hold out that the metallic calces are soluted in acids, accordingly as they possess oxygen.1819, Robert Harrington, An elucidation and extension of the Harringtonian System of Chemistry, page 99:
2 more examples
Porter, in old times, was brewed only with brown malts; from the hardness of which, and the fire they contained, Thames water seems better adapted than any other to solute the saccharine substance of those malts.1822, John Tuck, The Private Brewer's Guide to the Art of Brewing Ale and Porter, page 69:
The difference between burnt and unburnt brick is simply this : the one becomes soluted the moment it comes in contact with water, and the other admits the moisture without becoming dissolved.1843, United States. Patent Office, Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents, page 239:
2
Obsolete To solve; to expose the errors of; to explain
to solute sin
Because ye desire your argument to be soluted, at your own request I will take some paine: God grant it may profit!1560, John Knox, On Predestination in Answer to the Cavillations by an Anabaptist:
3 more examples
If thys argument be not good reproue it in your answere and solute it not withe a fyre or a rope as ye vse comunly to do God send yow hys holy sprete.1568, William Turner, The Huntyng and Fynding Out of the Romish Fox:
The first Argument of them, which abuse God's Holy Predestination, is easily soluted.1648, J. G. (believed to be John Goodwin), The Errours of the Carelesse by Necessitie Confuted:
The places and arguments which are brought against him are soluted with the same solutions that they use which maintain the papacy.1852, John Whitgift, edited by John Ayre, The Works of John Whitgift, D.D., Master of Trinity College, page 195: