solid

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English solide, from Middle French, from Latin solidus; akin to Greek holos whole — more at safe Date: 14th century 1. a. being without an internal cavity <

a solid ball of rubber

> b. (1) printed with minimum space between lines (2) joined without a hyphen <

a solid compound

> c. not interrupted by a break or opening <

a solid wall

> 2. having, involving, or dealing with three dimensions or with solids <

a solid configuration

> 3. a. of uniformly close and coherent texture ; not loose or spongy ; compact b. possessing or characterized by the properties of a solid ; neither gaseous nor liquid <

solid waste

> 4. of good substantial quality or kind <

solid comfort

>: as a. sound <

solid reasons

> b. made firmly and well <

solid furniture

> c. reliable <

a solid performer

> 5. a. having no break or interruption <

waited three solid hours

> b. unanimous <

had the solid support of the party

> c. intimately friendly or associated <

solid with the boss

> 6. a. prudent; also well established financially b. serious in purpose or character 7. of one substance or character: as a. entirely of one metal or containing the minimum of alloy necessary to impart hardness <

solid gold

> b. of a single color • solidly adverb • solidness noun II. noun Date: 15th century 1. a geometrical figure or element (as a cube or sphere) having three dimensions — see volume table 2. a. a substance that does not flow perceptibly under moderate stress, has a definite capacity for resisting forces (as compression or tension) which tend to deform it, and under ordinary conditions retains a definite size and shape b. the part of a solution or suspension that when freed from solvent or suspending medium has the qualities of a solid — usually used in plural <

milk solids

> 3. something that is solid: as a. a solid color b. a compound word whose members are joined together without a hyphen III. adverb Date: 1651 in a solid manner; also unanimously