soluble

Where does the word "soluble" come from? It comes from Latin solvere, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

Soluble’s story begins in Latin: solvere meant “to loosen, to dissolve.” The root of 'solve', 'dissolve' and 'absolve'. Within Latin, it grew into solubilis by ancient. Able to be dissolved, from solvere. It reached English by 1400s as soluble. Settled as the English word for something capable of being dissolved in liquid. Today, soluble means capable of being dissolved, especially in a liquid.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient solvere "to loosen, to dissolve", the root of 'solve', 'dissolve' and 'absolve'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient solubilis "able to be dissolved", able to be dissolved, from solvere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s soluble "capable of being dissolved in liquid", settled as the English word for something capable of being dissolved in liquid.