v.
- make or become liquefied by heating.
▸
(melt something down)
melt a metal article so as to reuse the raw material.
▸dissolve in liquid.
-
(often melt away)
disappear or disperse.
▸
(melt into)
change or merge imperceptibly into (another form or state).
- become or make more tender or loving.
n.
- an act or period of melting.
▸metal or other material in a melted condition.
▸a quantity of metal melted in one operation.
- a sandwich, hamburger, or other dish containing or topped with melted cheese.
Derivative
- meltable adj.
- melter n.
- melting adj.
- meltingly adv.
Etymology
OE meltan, mieltan, of Gmc origin; rel. to malt.