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solute

(Science: chemistry)

1. a component of a solution: in a solution, the dissolving substance is called a solvent whereas the dissolved substance is called a solute

2. a substance (usually in lesse] amount) dissolved in another substance. A typical example of a solution is sugar dissolved in water: sugar is the solute and water is the solvent.

Word origin: from Latin solūtus, past participle of solvere, meaning to loosen