melt

Meanings

Noun

• Molten material, the product of melting.
• The transition of matter from a solid state to a liquid state.
• The springtime snow runoff in mountain regions.
• A melt sandwich.
• A wax-based substance for use in an oil burner as an alternative to mixing oils and water.
• An idiot.

Verb

• To change (or to be changed) from a solid state to a liquid state, usually by a gradual heat.
• To dissolve, disperse, vanish.
• To soften, as by a warming or kindly influence; to relax; to render gentle or susceptible to mild influences; sometimes, in a bad sense, to take away the firmness of; to weaken.
• To be discouraged.
• To be emotionally softened or touched.
• To be very hot and sweat profusely.

Related

Similar words

• to found, to thaw

Origin

• From Middle English melten, from Old English meltan ("to consume by fire, melt, burn up; dissolve, digest") and Old English mieltan ("to melt; digest; refine, purge; exhaust"), from Proto-Germanic *meltaną ("to dissolve, melt") and Proto-Germanic *maltijaną ("to dissolve, melt"), both from Proto-Indo-European *(s)meld- ("melt"). Cognate with Icelandic melta ("to melt, digest").