Melt (?), n. Zool.
See 2d Milt.
© Webster 1913.
Melt, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Melted (obs.) p. p. Molten (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Melting.] [AS. meltan; akin to Gr. , E. malt, and prob. to E. smelt, v. . Cf. Smelt, v., Malt, Milt the spleen.]
1.
To reduce from a solid to a liquid state, as by heat; to liquefy; as, to mell wax, tallow, or lead; to melt ice or snow.
2.
Hence: 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.
Thou would'st have . . . melted down thy youth.
Shak.
For pity melts the mind to love.
Dryden.
Syn. -- To liquefy; fuse; thaw; mollify; soften.
© Webster 1913.
Melt, v. i.
1.
To be changed from a solid to a liquid state under the influence of heat; as, butter and wax melt at moderate temperatures.
2.
To dissolve; as, sugar melts in the mouth.
3.
Hence: To be softened; to become tender, mild, or gentle; also, to be weakened or subdued, as by fear.
My soul melteth for heaviness.
Ps. cxix. 28.
Melting with tenderness and kind compassion.
Shak.
4.
To lose distinct form or outline; to blend.
The soft, green, rounded hills, with their flowing outlines, overlapping and melting into each other.
J. C. Shairp.
5.
To disappear by being dispersed or dissipated; as, the fog melts away.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.