solder
What does "solder" mean?
Solder is a low-melting-point metal alloy used to join two or more metal pieces together. Imagine a small spool of thin wire being melted by a hot iron tip, turning into a shiny, liquid bead that flows into a gap and then hardens instantly to create a permanent electrical or mechanical connection. In common usage, it is almost exclusively associated with electronics and plumbing. You "solder" a wire to a circuit board or "solder" a copper pipe to stop a leak. It is a functional, precise term; you wouldn't use it for sticking paper or wood together, which would be "gluing."
"solder" in conversation
Fixing a broken controller
My controller stopped working, the trigger wire snapped.
My controller stopped working, the trigger wire snapped.
Do you have a soldering iron? You just need to solder that contact back on.
Do you have a soldering iron? You just need to solder that contact back on.
'Solder' is used here as a verb describing the specific act of making the electrical connection.
Hardware store advice
Are you working on copper piping or circuit boards?
Are you working on copper piping or circuit boards?
I need solder for copper pipes.
I need solder for copper pipes.
Here, 'solder' is used as a noun, referring to the material itself.
"solder" in a sentence
He used solder to join the wires.
He used solder to join the wires.
You need to heat the joint before applying the solder.
You need to heat the joint before applying the solder.
If you don't solder the connection correctly, the circuit will remain open.
If you don't solder the connection correctly, the circuit will remain open.
