solve [LME] The early senses of solve were ‘loosen, dissolve, untie’; the source is Latin solvere ‘loosen, unfasten’. Other words sharing this base are Late Middle English soluble and solution, and mid 17th century solvent. From the same Latin root come absolve [LME] ‘loosen from’; dissolve [LME] ‘loosen apart’; dissolute [LME] of loose morals; and resolve [LME] ‘thoroughly loosen’.