Etymology From Middle English solven, from Latin solvō.
1
To find an answer or solution to a problem or question; to work out.
True piety would effectually solve such scruples.1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:
God shall solve the dark decrees of fate.1649, Thomas Tickell, Thoughts occasioned by the sight of an original picture of King Charles I taken at the time of his trial:
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A “moving platform” scheme[…]is more technologically ambitious than maglev trains even though it relies on conventional rails. Local trains would use side-by-side rails to roll alongside intercity trains and allow passengers to switch trains by stepping through docking bays. This set-up solves several problems […].2013 June 1, “Ideas coming down the track”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8838, page 13 (Technology Quarterly):
2
to find out the perpetrator, the motive etc (of crime)
to solve a murder to solve a crime
3
Mathematics, Sciences To find the values of variables that satisfy a system of equations and/or inequalities.
4
Mathematics, Sciences To algebraically manipulate an equation or inequality into a form that isolates a chosen variable on one side, so that the other side consists of an expression that may be used to generate solutions.
5
To loosen or separate the parts of.
6
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciencesArchaic To dissolve
The solve is this, that thou dost common grow.1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 69”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:
KEVIN: I decided a long time ago that just because I love Raymond, doesn't mean I have to love the people he works with. Good solve, Detective.2014 February 4, The Party, Gil Ozeri and Gabe Liedman (writers), Michael Engler (director), Brooklyn Nine-Nine, season 1, episode 16
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“Hey, Mr. Quilt Bandit.” Ian smiled. “Nice solve, Nancy Drew.”2017, Elodia Strain, The Dating Experiment, →ISBN: