solid
pronunciation
How to pronounce solid in British English:
UK [ˈsɒlɪd]
How to pronounce solid in American English:
US [ˈsɑːlɪd]
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- Noun:
- a substance that is solid at room temperature and pressure
- the state in which a substance has no tendency to flow under moderate stress; resists forces (such as compression) that tend to deform it; and retains a definite size and shape
- a three-dimensional shape
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- Adjective:
- of definite shape and volume; firm; neither liquid nor gaseous
- of good substantial quality
- entirely of one substance with no holes inside
- of one substance or character throughout
- uninterrupted in space; having no gaps or breaks
- providing abundant nourishment
- of good quality and condition; solidly built
- having high moral qualities
- not soft or yielding to pressure
- having three dimensions
- incapable of being seen through
- entirely of a single color throughout
- acting together as a single undiversified whole
Word Origin
- solid
- solid: [14] Solid comes via Old French solide from Latin solidus ‘solid, whole’ (source also of English solder and soldier and of the French coin term sou). It went back to the same base (Indo-European *sol-) that produced Latin sollus ‘whole’ (source of English solemn and solicit) and salvus ‘unharmed’ (source of English safe, save, etc).=> solder, soldier, solemn, solicit
- solid (adj.)
- late 14c., "not empty or hollow," from Old French solide "firm, dense, compact," from Latin solidus "firm, whole, undivided, entire," figuratively "sound, trustworthy, genuine," from PIE *sol-ido-, suffixed form of root *sol- "whole" (cognates: Greek holos "whole," Latin salus "health," salvus "safe;" see safe (adj.)). Meaning "firm, hard, compact" is from 1530s. Meaning "entirely of the same stuff" is from 1710. Of qualities, "well-established, considerable" c. 1600. As a mere intensifier, 1830. Slang sense of "wonderful, remarkable" first attested 1920 among jazz musicians. As an adverb, "solidly, completely," 1650s. Solid South in U.S. political history is attested from 1858. Solid state as a term in physics is recorded from 1953; meaning "employing printed circuits and solid transistors" (as opposed to wires and vacuum tubes) is from 1959. Related: Solidly.
- solid (n.)
- late 14c., "three-dimensional figure," from solid (adj.). Meaning "a solid substance" is from 1690s. Compare also solidus; Latin solidus (adj.) was used as a noun meaning "an entire sum; a solid body."
Example
- 1. After starting solid foods , infants need more water .
- 2. It 's a solid platform with a proven idea .
- 3. Despite its disrepair , the house remains attractive : solid and well made .
- 4. A solid global recovery demands healthy and balanced growth in private demand .
- 5. Proficient means students have a solid understanding of the material .