resolve
to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full.
to separate into constituent or elementary parts; break up; cause or disintegrate (usually followed by into).
to reduce or convert by, or as by, breaking up or disintegration (usually followed by to or into).
to convert or transform by any process (often used reflexively).
to reduce by mental analysis (often followed by into).
to settle, determine, or state in a formal vote or formal expression of opinion or intention, as of a deliberative assembly.
to clear away or dispel (doubts, fears, etc.); answer: to resolve any doubts we may have had.
Chemistry. to separate (a racemic mixture) into optically active components.
Music. to cause (a voice part or the harmony as a whole) to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.
Optics. to separate and make visible the individual parts of (an image); distinguish between.
Medicine/Medical. to cause (swellings, inflammation, etc.) to disappear without suppuration.
to come to a determination; make up one's mind; determine (often followed by on or upon): to resolve on a plan of action.
to break up or disintegrate.
to be reduced or changed by breaking up or otherwise (usually followed by to or into).
Music. to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.
a resolution or determination made, as to follow some course of action.
firmness of purpose or intent; determination.
Origin of resolve
1Other words for resolve
Other words from resolve
- re·solv·er, noun
- pre·re·solve, verb, pre·re·solved, pre·re·solv·ing.
- un·re·solv·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for resolve
/ (rɪˈzɒlv) /
(takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to decide or determine firmly
to express (an opinion) formally, esp (of a public meeting) one agreed by a vote
(also intr usually foll by into) to separate or cause to separate (into) (constituent parts or elements)
(usually reflexive) to change, alter, or appear to change or alter: the ghost resolved itself into a tree
to make up the mind of; cause to decide: the tempest resolved him to stay at home
to find the answer or solution to; solve: to resolve a problem
to explain away or dispel: to resolve a doubt
to bring to an end; conclude: to resolve an argument
med to cause (a swelling or inflammation) to subside, esp without the formation of pus
(also intr) to follow (a dissonant note or chord) or (of a dissonant note or chord) to be followed by one producing a consonance
chem to separate (a racemic mixture) into its optically active constituents
physics
to distinguish between (separate parts) of (an image) as in a microscope, telescope, or other optical instrument
to separate (two adjacent peaks) in a spectrum by means of a spectrometer
maths to split (a vector) into its components in specified directions
an obsolete word for dissolve
something determined or decided; resolution: he had made a resolve to work all day
firmness of purpose; determination: nothing can break his resolve
Origin of resolve
1Derived forms of resolve
- resolver, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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