The phrase "melts away" is spelled with the letter "e" in both "melts" and "away". In IPA phonetic transcription, "melts" would be transcribed as /mɛlts/ and "away" would be transcribed as /əweɪ/. In "melts", the "e" represents the short "e" sound, or /ɛ/, while the "a" represents the short "a" sound, or /æ/. In "away", the "a" represents the schwa sound, or /ə/, while the "y" represents the long "i" sound, or /aɪ/. Together, these sounds create the familiar phrase "melts away".
The term "melts away" refers to the gradual disappearance or dissipation of something, typically in a liquid or heat-related manner. It is often used metaphorically to describe the vanishing or dispersal of physical objects, emotions, problems, or obstacles.
In its literal sense, "melts away" signifies the transformational process of a solid substance turning into a liquid due to the application of heat. For instance, when ice is exposed to high temperatures, it melts away, becoming water. Similarly, when a candle is lit, the solid wax gradually melts away as it is exposed to heat, transforming into a liquid substance that eventually evaporates.
Metaphorically, "melts away" describes the gradual disappearance of various intangible or abstract elements. For instance, imagine a person's stress or worries being compared to a block of ice that melts away with the passage of time or through the soothing effect of comfort and relaxation. Similarly, one might describe a problem or obstacle as melting away when it is successfully overcome or resolved.
Overall, "melts away" serves as a versatile term capable of describing the physical transformation from solid to liquid due to heat, as well as the metaphorical dissolution or disappearance of various intangible entities through time, effort, or resolution.
The phrase "melts away" is a combination of two words, "melt" and "away", both having distinct origins.
1. Melt:
The word "melt" originated from the Old English verb "meltan", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "meltijaną". It ultimately comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "meldh-" meaning "to melt" or "to dissolve". The meaning of "melt" is to change from a solid state to a liquid state due to the application of heat or to cause something to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state.
2. Away:
The word "away" originated from the Old English adverb "onweg", which is a combination of the elements "on" (meaning "on" or "at") and "weg" (meaning "way" or "journey").