What is "solid problem"

Solid \Sol"id\ (s[o^]l"[i^]d), a. [L. solidus, probably akin to sollus whole, entire, Gr. ???: cf. F. solide. Cf. Consolidate, Soda, Solder, Soldier, Solemn.]

1. Having the constituent parts so compact, or so firmly adhering, as to resist the impression or penetration of other bodies; having a fixed form; hard; firm; compact; -- opposed to fluid and liquid or to plastic, like clay, or to incompact, like sand.

2. Not hollow; full of matter; as, a solid globe or cone, as distinguished from a hollow one; not spongy; dense; hence, sometimes, heavy.

3. (Arith.) Having all the geometrical dimensions; cubic; as, a solid foot contains 1,728 solid inches.

   Note: In this sense, cubics now generally used.

4. Firm; compact; strong; stable; unyielding; as, a solid pier; a solid pile; a solid wall.

5. Applied to a compound word whose parts are closely united and form an unbroken word; -- opposed to hyphened.

6. Fig.: Worthy of credit, trust, or esteem; substantial, as opposed to frivolous or fallacious; weighty; firm; strong; valid; just; genuine.

   The solid purpose of a sincere and virtuous answer.
   --Milton.

   These, wanting wit, affect gravity, and go by the name of solid men.
   --Dryden.

   The genius of the Italians wrought by solid toil what the myth-making imagination of the Germans had projected in a poem.
   --J. A. Symonds.

7. Sound; not weakly; as, a solid constitution of body.
   --I. Watts.

8. (Bot.) Of a fleshy, uniform, undivided substance, as a bulb or root; not spongy or hollow within, as a stem.

9. (Metaph.) Impenetrable; resisting or excluding any other material particle or atom from any given portion of space; -- applied to the supposed ultimate particles of matter.

10. (Print.) Not having the lines separated by leads; not open.

11. United; without division; unanimous; as, the delegation is solid for a candidate. [Polit. Cant. U.S.]

    Solid angle. (Geom.) See under Angle.

    Solid color, an even color; one not shaded or variegated.

    Solid green. See Emerald green (a), under Green.

    Solid measure (Arith.), a measure for volumes, in which the units are each a cube of fixed linear magnitude, as a cubic foot, yard, or the like; thus, a foot, in solid measure, or a solid foot, contains 1,728 solid inches.

    Solid newel (Arch.), a newel into which the ends of winding stairs are built, in distinction from a hollow newel. See under Hollow, a.

    Solid problem (Geom.), a problem which can be construed geometrically, only by the intersection of a circle and a conic section or of two conic sections.
    --Hutton.

    Solid square (Mil.), a square body or troops in which the ranks and files are equal.

    Syn: Hard; firm; compact; strong; substantial; stable; sound; real; valid; true; just; weighty; profound; grave; important.

    Usage: Solid, Hard. These words both relate to the internal constitution of bodies; but hardnotes a more impenetrable nature or a firmer adherence of the component parts than solid. Hard is opposed to soft, and solid to fluid, liquid, open, or hollow. Wood is usually solid; but some kinds of wood are hard, and others are soft.

    Repose you there; while I [return] to this hard house, More harder than the stones whereof 't is raised.
    --Shak.

    I hear his thundering voice resound, And trampling feet than shake the solid ground.
    --Dryden.

Problem \Prob"lem\, n. [F. probl[`e]me, L. problema, fr. Gr. ? anything thrown forward, a question proposed for solution, fr. ? to throw or lay before; ? before, forward + ? to throw. Cf. Parable. ]

1. A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt.
   --Bacon.

2. (Math.) Anything which is required to be done; as, in geometry, to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or, in algebra, to find an unknown quantity.

   Note: Problem differs from theorem in this, that a problem is something to be done, as to bisect a triangle, to describe a circle, etc.; a theorem is something to be proved, as that all the angles of a triangle are equal to two right angles.

   Plane problem (Geom.), a problem that can be solved by the use of the rule and compass.

   Solid problem (Geom.), a problem requiring in its geometric solution the use of a conic section or higher curve.