What does "dissolvent" mean?

Dissolvent: That which has the power of dissolving or melting other substances, esp. by mixture with them; a menstruum; a solvent. Melted in the crucible dissolvents. A. Smith. The secret treaty of December acted as an immediate dissolvent to the truce. Mothley.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Med.) A remedy supposed capable of dissolving concretions in the body, such as calculi, tubercles, etc.

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