1325
solo: There's a fine solo passage for the oboe here. | This passage is to be played solo by the piano.
so·lo·ist /'sɒləʊɪst/ n a performer of a musical solo
Sol·o·mon /'sɒləmən||'sɑːl-/ 1 (10th century BC) a king of Israel, the son of King DAVID, who built the TEMPLE in Jerusalem, and is known for being extremely wise. 2 the wisdom of Solomon a very special ability to make the right decision in situations where it is extremely difficult to know what to do: The chair of the peace talks is going to need the wisdom of Solomon. ➔ see also SONG OF SOLOMON
'Solomon ,Islands, the a country made up of several islands in the southwest Pacific, to the east of Papua New Guinea. Population: 429,100 (2000). Capital: Honiara.
sol·stice /'sɒlstɪs||'sɑːl-/ n the time of either the longest day in the year (about June 22) or the shortest day in the year (about December 22) ➔ compare EQUINOX; see also MIDSUMMER DAY, SUMMER SOLSTICE, WINTER SOLSTICE
Sol·ti, Sir Georg /'ʃɒlti||'ʃoʊl-, ʤɔrʤ||ʤɔːrʤ/ (1912–97) a British CONDUCTOR, born in Hungary, who was the musical director of many important ORCHESTRAS and was known for his very energetic style as a conductor
sol·u·ble /'sɒljʊbəl||'sɑː-/ adj 1 [(in)] that can be dissolved (DISSOLVE) in a liquid: These tablets are soluble in water. 2 fml that can be solved: Is the problem soluble? ➔ opposite INSOLUBLE ———bility /ˌsɒljʊ'bɪlɪti||ˌsɑː-/ n [U]
so·lu·tion /sə'luːʃən/ n 1 [C(to)] an answer to a difficulty or problem: We bought a second car; it was the solution to all our problems. | There are no simple solutions to the unemployment problem. | He finally came up with/found a solution. ➔ see also FINAL SOLUTION, SOLVE 2 [C;U] (a) liquid containing a solid or gas mixed into it, usually without chemical change: Prepare a weak sugar solution. (=with little sugar in the water) ➔ compare COLLOID 3 [(in) U] tech the state or action of being mixed into liquid like this: sugar in solution in water
solve /sɒlv||sɑːlv, sɔːlv/ v [T] to find a solution to, an explanation of, or a way of dealing with (something): Can you solve this riddle/crossword clue? | Sherlock Holmes solved many murder cases. —solvable adj —solver n
sol·vent¹ /'sɒlvənt||'sɑːl-, 'sɔːl-/ adj having enough to pay all money owed; not in debt: When I get my pay cheque I'll be solvent again. ➔ opposite INSOLVENT ———vency n [U]
solvent² n [C;U] (a) liquid able to turn a solid substance into liquid: Alcohol and petrol are useful solvents for grease stains that will not come off in water.
'solvent a,buse n [U] fml for glue-sniffing
Sol-zhe-nit-syn, Al-ex-an-der /ˌsɒlzəˈnɪtsɪnˌsɒl-, ˌælɪɡˈzɑndər||-ˈzæn-/ (1918–) a Russian writer who spent many years in prison because of his criticism of Stalinism and the system of government in the former Soviet Union. He was forced to leave the Soviet Union in 1974 and went to live in the US until 1994, when he returned to Russia. His books include One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Cancer Ward, and The Gulag Archipelago. He was given the Nobel Prize for literature in 1970.
So·ma·li /sə'mɑːli/ n 1 [C] someone who comes from Somalia 2 [U] the main language of Somalia —Somali adj: an old Somali tradition
So·ma·li·a /sə'mɑːliə/ a country in East Africa between Ethiopia, Kenya, and the Indian Ocean. Population: 8,025,190 (2003). Capital: Mogadishu. Since 1991, there has been a CIVIL WAR in Somalia between opposing military groups, and many people have died in the war or as a result of serious food shortages. US troops were sent there in 1993 with the aim of establishing peace, but they left in 1994 after some US soldiers were killed.
som·bre BrE || -ber AmE /'sɒmbə||'sɑːm-/ adj 1 sadly serious; GRAVE: A funeral is a sombre occasion. 2 (of a colour or sight) like or full of shadows; dark: the sombre November skies ———ly adv ———ness n [U]
som·bre·ro /ˌsɒm'brerəʊ||sɑːm-/ n pl. -ros a man's tall hat with a very wide flat BRIM worn especially in Mexico
some¹ /sʌm; strong sʌm/ determiner a little, a few, or a certain or small number or amount of: I bought some sugar and some apples. | They own some land in London. | I saw some people I knew. | May I offer you some tea (or a cup of tea)? ➔ see MORE (USAGE)
some² /sʌm/ determiner 1 a certain amount or number (of), but not all: Some parts of the country are quite mountainous. | Some days you win, and some days you lose. 2 a(n); an unknown or unstated (one): 'Can you give me some idea of the cost?' 'No, I'm afraid I haven't any idea.' | Go away! Come back some other time. | There must be some reason for what he's done. 3 quite a large number, part, or amount of: This generous donation should go some way (=quite a long way) towards paying our costs. | The fire went on for quite some time (=several hours) before it was brought under control. 4 infml (used before a noun at the beginning of a sentence) no kind of; no ... at all: Some help that is! We're no further on than we were before. | Some friend you are! You won't even lend me £1. | 'Surely you'll finish the work by tonight?' 'Some hope!' 5 infml a fine or important; quite a: That was some speech you made. | It was (quite) some party! 6 some ... or (an)other (sometimes in comb.) one or several which the speaker cannot or does not care to state exactly: He's staying with some friends or other in the country. | I'm not making this story up; I must have heard it somewhere or other.
1 In negative sentences any and no are used instead of some: I haven't any/I have no socks. 2 In questions any, anyone, etc, are usually used. Have you got any money? | Can you see any cars in the street? | Have you talked to anyone about your problem? If some, someone, etc, is used in questions, it means that the answer 'yes' is expected. Compare Is there something to eat? (=I can smell food!) | Is there anything to eat? (=I'm hungry!) This kind of question is often used in offers and invitations: Would you like some more cake? | Shall I bring some food to the party?
some³ pron 1 a little, a few, or a certain or small amount: He asked for money and I gave him some. (compare but I didn't give him any) 'Do you sell cream cakes?' 'Yes, there are some in the window.' 2 [(of)] certain ones or a certain part but not all: Some of his stories were quite amusing. | Some (=some people) say it was an accident, but I'm not sure. 3 and then some infml, especially AmE a lot more: 'They say he earns $40,000.' 'And then some!'
some⁴ adv 1 (used usually before a number) about: There were some 40 or 50 people there. 2 AmE rather; a little: 'Are you feeling better today?' 'Some, I guess.' 3 some little/few quite a lot of: I hope this is the last we see of him for some little time! 4 some more an additional amount or quantity (of): Would you like some more cake/apples?
some·bod·y¹ /'sʌmbdi, -bədi||-'bɑːdi/ pron someone; some but no particular or known person: There's somebody on the phone for you. | Somebody has parked their/his car right in front of mine. ➔ see also SOMEONE; see EVERYONE (USAGE), SOME² (USAGE), SOMETHING (USAGE)
somebody² n [U] someone who is well known, has a high position etc; an important person: Now that he's been promoted he thinks he's really somebody.
some·day /'sʌmdeɪ/ adv at some uncertain future time: Perhaps someday I'll be rich.
some·how /'sʌmhaʊ/ adv 1 by some means; in some way not yet known or stated: Don't worry; we'll get the lost money back somehow. 2 for some reason that is not clear: Somehow I seem to have two knives and no fork. | I think she's right but somehow I'm not completely sure.
,Some Like It 'Hot (1959) a humorous US film, directed by Billy WILDER, which is still very popular. The main actors are Marilyn MONROE, Jack LEMMON