Etymology
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solution (n.)

late 14c., solucioun, "explanation, answer; interpretation of a dream; the dissolving of a substance in a liquid, transformation of matter to a liquid state," from Old French solucion "division, dissolving; explanation; payment" and directly from Latin solutionem (nominative solutio) "a loosening or unfastening," noun of action from past-participle stem of solvere "to loosen, untie, dissolve," from PIE *se-lu-, from reflexive pronoun *s(w)e- (see idiom) + root *leu- "to loosen, divide, cut apart."

The meaning "liquid containing a dissolved substance" is recorded by 1590s.

updated on March 06, 2023

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