n. | 1. | (Zool.) See 2d Milt. |
v. t. | 1. | To reduce from a solid to a liquid state, as by heat; to liquefy; as, to melt wax, tallow, or lead; to melt ice or snow. |
| 2. | 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. |
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. | To be softened; to become tender, mild, or gentle; also, to be weakened or subdued, as by fear. |
| 4. | To lose distinct form or outline; to blend. See fondue. |
| 5. | To disappear by being dispersed or dissipated; as, the fog melts away. |