Solution \So*lu"tion\ (s[-o]*l[=u]"sh[u^]n), n. [OE. solucion,
OF. solucion, F. solution, fr. L. solutio, fr. solvere,
solutum, to loosen, dissolve. See Solve.]
1. The act of separating the parts of any body, or the
condition of undergoing a separation of parts; disruption;
breach.
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In all bodies there is an appetite of union and
evitation of solution of continuity. --Bacon.
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2. The act of solving, or the state of being solved; the
disentanglement of any intricate problem or difficult
question; explanation; clearing up; -- used especially in
mathematics, either of the process of solving an equation
or problem, or the result of the process.
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3. The state of being dissolved or disintegrated; resolution;
disintegration.
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It is unquestionably an enterprise of more promise
to assail the nations in their hour of faintness and
solution, than at a time when magnificent and
seductive systems of worship were at their height of
energy and splendor. --I. Taylor.
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4. (Chem.Phys.) The act or process by which a body (whether
solid, liquid, or gaseous) is absorbed into a liquid, and,
remaining or becoming fluid, is diffused throughout the
solvent; also, the product resulting from such absorption.
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Note: When a solvent will not take in any more of a substance
the solution is said to be saturated. Solution is of
two kinds; viz.: (a) Mechanical solution, in which no
marked chemical change takes place, and in which, in
the case of solids, the dissolved body can be regained
by evaporation, as in the solution of salt or sugar in
water. (b) Chemical solution, in which there is
involved a decided chemical change, as when limestone
or zinc undergoes solution in hydrochloric acid.
Mechanical solution is regarded as a form of
molecular or atomic attraction, and is probably
occasioned by the formation of certain very weak and
unstable compounds which are easily dissociated and
pass into new and similar compounds.
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Note: This word is not used in chemistry or mineralogy for
fusion, or the melting of bodies by the heat of fire.
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5. Release; deliverance; discharge. [Obs.] --Barrow.
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6. (Med.)
(a) The termination of a disease; resolution.
(b) A crisis.
(c) A liquid medicine or preparation (usually aqueous) in
which the solid ingredients are wholly soluble. --U.
S. Disp.
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Fehling's solution (Chem.), a standardized solution of
cupric hydrate in sodium potassium tartrate, used as a
means of determining the reducing power of certain sugars
and sirups by the amount of red cuprous oxide thrown down.
Heavy solution (Min.), a liquid of high density, as a
solution of mercuric iodide in potassium iodide (called
the Sonstadt solution or Thoulet solution) having a
maximum specific gravity of 3.2, or of borotungstate of
cadium (Klein solution, specific gravity 3.6), and the
like. Such solutions are much used in determining the
specific gravities of minerals, and in separating them
when mechanically mixed as in a pulverized rock.
Nessler's solution. See Nesslerize.
Solution of continuity, the separation of connection, or of
connected substances or parts; -- applied, in surgery, to
a fracture, laceration, or the like. "As in the natural
body a wound, or solution of continuity, is worse than a
corrupt humor, so in the spiritual." --Bacon.
Standardized solution (Chem.), a solution which is used as
a reagent, and is of a known and standard strength;
specifically, a normal solution, containing in each cubic
centimeter as many milligrams of the element in question
as the number representing its atomic weight; thus, a
normal solution of silver nitrate would contain 107.7 mgr.
of silver in each cubic centimeter.
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Mechanical \Me*chan"ic*al\, a. [From Mechanic, a.]
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1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with,
mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the
quantitative relations of force and matter on a
macroscopic scale, as distinguished from mental,
vital, chemical, electrical, electronic, atomic
etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory;
especially, using only the interactions of solid parts
against each other; as mechanical brakes, in contrast to
hydraulic brakes.
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2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools;
made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical
precision; mechanical products.
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We have also divers mechanical arts. --Bacon.
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3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion;
proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special
intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing;
mechanical verses; mechanical service.
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4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a
directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe.
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5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate;
empirical. See the 2d Note under Geometric.
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Mechanical effect, effective power; useful work exerted, as
by a machine, in a definite time.
Mechanical engineering. See the Note under Engineering.
Mechanical maneuvers (Mil.), the application of mechanical
appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of
artillery. --Farrow.
Mechanical philosophy, the principles of mechanics applied
to the investigation of physical phenomena.
Mechanical powers, certain simple instruments, such as the
lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the
pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the
screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting
through a great space into a great force acting through a
small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in
combination.
Mechanical solution (Math.), a solution of a problem by any
art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means
of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments.
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