1.  solve(v = verb.cognition) figure out, lick, puzzle out, work, work out - find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of; "did you solve the problem?"; "Work out your problems with the boss"; "this unpleasant situation isn't going to work itself out"; "did you get it?"; "Did you get my meaning?"; "He could not work the math problem"
is one way to understand
Derived forms noun solution₅, noun solvent₂, noun solver₁, noun solving₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

2.  solve(v = verb.cognition) resolve - find the solution; "solve an equation"; "solve for x"
is one way to calculate, cipher, compute, cypher, figure, reckon, work out
Derived forms noun solver₁, noun solving₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s PP

3.  solve(v = verb.communication) clear - settle, as of a debt; "clear a debt"; "solve an old debt"
is one way to determine, settle, square off, square up
Derived form adjective solvent₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

   To explain; to resolve; to unfold; to clear up (what is obscure or difficult to be understood); to work out to a result or conclusion; as, to solve a doubt; to solve difficulties; to solve a problem. [1913 Webster]
"True piety would effectually solve such scruples." [1913 Webster]
"God shall solve the dark decrees of fate." [1913 Webster]

   A solution; an explanation. Shak. [1913 Webster]

solve, v.tr. find an answer to, or an action or course that removes or effectively deals with (a problem or difficulty).

Derivative:
solvable adj. solver n.

Etymology:
ME, = loosen, f. L solvere solut- unfasten, release

VB  render liquid, liquefy, run, deliquesce, melt, solve, dissolve, resolve, liquate, hold in solution, condense, precipitate, rain.

VB  answer, respond, reply, rebut, retort, rejoin, give for answer, return for answer, acknowledge, echo, explain, solve, discover, fathom, hunt out, satisfy, set at rest, determine.

VB  discover, find, determine, evolve, learn, fix upon, pick up, find out, trace out, make out, hunt out, fish out, worm out, ferret out, root out, fathom, bring out, draw out, educe, elicit, bring to light, dig out, grub up, fish up, unearth, disinter, solve, resolve, elucidate, unriddle, unravel, unlock, crack, crack open, pick up, open the lock, find a clue, find clew a to, find the key to the riddle, interpret, disclose, trace, get at, hit it, have it, lay one's finger, lay one's hands upon, spot, get at the truth, arrive at the truth, put the saddle on the right horse, hit the right nail on the head, be near the truth, be warm, get warmer, burn, smoke, scent, sniff, catch a whiff of, smell a rat, open the eyes to, see through, see daylight, see in its true colors, see the cloven foot, detect, catch, catch tripping, pitch upon, fall upon, light upon, hit upon, stumble upon, pop upon, come across, come onto, meet with, meet up with, fall in with, recognize, realize, verify, make certain of, identify, Int, eureka!, aha!, I've got it!.

VB  interpret, explain, define, construe, translate, render, do into, turn into, transfuse the sense of, find out, 1 the meaning of, read, spell out, make out, decipher, unravel, disentangle, find the key of, enucleate, resolve, solve, read between the lines, account for, find the cause, tell the cause of, throw light upon, shed light upon, shed new light upon, shed fresh light upon, clear up, clarify, elucidate, illustrate, exemplify, unfold, expound, comment upon, annotate, popularize, take in a particular sense, understand in a particular sense, receive in a particular sense, accept in a particular sense, understand by, put a construction on, be given to understand.