solv-, -solu-, solut-, -sol, -soluble, -solubility, -solvent

1. Perfect and complete in quality or nature: Glenn described his lady friend as an example of absolute perfection.
2. Not limited by restrictions or exceptions; unconditional, total trust: Earl told Diane that she had his absolute confidence.
3. Unqualified in extent or degree; total: Marie could hear a pin drop in the absolute silence of the room.
4. Unconstrained by constitutional, a counterbalancing group, or other provisions, etc. in the exercise of governmental power, especially when arbitrary or despotic: James was an absolute ruler in his position as the absolute monarch.
5. Regarding something which is not to be doubted or questioned; positive, certain: The police have absolute proof of Philip's guilt.
6. Relating to units of measurement derived from fundamental units of length, mass, and time: The laboratory was supplied with the necessary equipment to determine the absolute temperature of the liquids.
7. Pertaining to the scale of a grading system based on an individual's performance considered as representing his or her knowledge of a given subject regardless of the performance of others in a group: Jessica's absolute performance during the year qualifies her for the special graduation honors.
8. Etymology: from Latin absolutus and absolvere, "to set free, to make separate".

Logically, absolute terms cannot be compared, as with "more" and "most", or used with an "intensive modifier", such as "very" or "so" because something either is complete or it is not. It cannot be "more complete" than something else, consequently sentences, such as "Mike wanted to make his record collection more complete", and "Joyce can improve the sketch by making the lines more perpendicular", are often criticized as being illogical.

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In economics, the ability of a country, individual, company, or region to produce more of a good or service with the same amount of resources, or the same amount of a good or service with fewer resources, than the cost at which any other comparable entity produces that good or service.

In thermodynamics, the true expansion of a liquid with a change in temperature, allowing for the expansion of the container holding the liquid in calculating this measurement.

Blindness that results from the increased pressure in the eyes and damage to the optic nerves: Although the composer was diagnosed with absolute glaucoma, she was determined it would not end her career.

Craig was afflicted with absolute glaucoma during the final years of his life.

A statement about humidity that describes the mass of water vapor present in relation to the unit volume of space that it occupies; usually, expressed in grams per cubic meter.

A measurement of the capability of a fluid to flow through a rock formation when the formation is at complete saturation: Nancy learned at school that oil, gas, or even water can pass in and out of a hard mineral matter when it is totally drenched.

The potential difference necessary to produce a current of one ampere through an electric circuit with a resistance of one ohm (unit of electrical resistance): Because the production of absolute current and voltage must equal mechanical power, experiments that realize the absolute volt involve mechanical effects and are inherently difficult, usually requiring many years to complete.

Totally, definitely, beyond doubt, and without question: Iron is absolutely necessary for the production of many products.

Susan asked, "Eugene, are you absolutely sure that we are on the right road and that we are not absolutely lost?"

Victor and Martin are absolutely opposed to the idea of making any additional changes.

Referring to something that is totall vital and important: Because Virginia wanted to become a German citizen, it was absolutely essential for her to have her original documents on hand for the immigration process.

1. A value or principle that is regarded as universally valid or which may be viewed without relation to other things: "The absoluteness of good and evil are presented as issues which exist without being dependent on anything else."
2. An independence, completeness, and the state of being subject to no extraneous restrictions or controls; being positive and perfect.

1. Forgiveness of sin, guilt, or blame; a declaration that frees a person from guilt or punishment for sin: The priest gave absolution to church members which always made the parishioners feel a great deal better.
2. Release from a duty or promise; a discharge: The soldier obtained absolution from the charges made by a fellow soldier.

1. To officially state that someone is free of any blame or responsibility in a particular matter: Mr. Johnson, the lawyer, could not get the court to absolve his client of responsibility for the accident.

Because new evidence had been discovered, Rick, the defendant, was absolved of the criminal charge.

2. To forgive someone, especially for a religious or moral fault: Mary asked the priest to please absolve her of her sins.
3. To relieve a person of some kind of requirement or obligation: The court absolved Ernest of the responsibility of any further repayments of the loan.

At the board meeting that day, they agreed that they would be absolving the company of any charges of misdeeds.

Bert was absolved of having to pay his partner's debts.

4. Etymology: from Latin ab-, "from" + solvere, "to loosen". © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
for a list of additional Mickey Bach illustrations.