To cause (a person) to reach a decision. See Synonyms at decide.
To decide or express by formal vote.
To change or convert: My resentment resolved itself into resignation.
To find a solution to; solve. See Synonyms at solve.
To remove or dispel (doubts).
To bring to a usually successful conclusion: resolve a conflict.
Medicine To cause reduction of (an inflammation, for example).
Music To cause (a tone or chord) to progress from dissonance to consonance.
Chemistry To separate (an optically inactive compound or mixture) into its optically active constituents.
To render parts of (an image) visible and distinct.
Mathematics To separate (a vector, for example) into coordinate components.
To melt or dissolve (something).
Archaic To separate (something) into constituent parts.
v.
intr.
To reach a decision or make a determination: resolve on a course of action.
To become separated or reduced to constituents.
Music To undergo resolution.
n.
Firmness of purpose; resolution.
A determination or decision; a fixed purpose.
A formal resolution made by a deliberative body.
[Middle English resolven, to dissolve, from Old French resolver, from Latin resolvere, to untie : re-, re- + solvere, to untie; see leu- in Indo-European roots.]
re·solv'a·bil'i·ty, re·solv'a·ble·ness n., re·solv'a·ble adj., re·solv'ed·ly (-zŏl'vĭd-lē) adv., re·solv'er n.
c.1374, from L. resolvere "to loosen, undo, settle," from re-, intensive prefix, + solvere "loosen" (see solve). Same sense evolution as in resolution. The noun meaning "determination" is first recorded 1592.
the trait of being resolute; "his resoluteness carried him through the battle"; "it was his unshakeable resolution to finish the work" [syn: resoluteness] [ant: irresoluteness]
2.
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote [syn: resolution]
verb
1.
bring to an end; settle conclusively; "The case was decided"; "The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff"; "The father adjudicated when the sons were quarreling over their inheritance" [syn: decide]
2.
reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation [syn: conclude]
3.
reach a decision; "he resolved never to drink again" [syn: purpose]
4.
understand the meaning of; "The question concerning the meaning of life cannot be answered" [syn: answer]
5.
make clearly visible; "can this image be resolved?"
6.
find the solution; "solve an equation"; "solve for x"
7.
cause to go into a solution; "The recipe says that we should dissolve a cup of sugar in two cups of water" [syn: dissolve]
Res"o*lu*ble\ (r?z"?-l?-b'l), a.[L. resolubolis: cf. F. r['e]soluble. See Resolve, and cf. Resolvable.] Admitting of being resolved; resolvable; as, bodies resoluble by fire. --Boyle. -- Res"o*lu*ble*ness, n.
Res"o*lute\ (r?z"?-l?t), a. [Cf. F. r['e]solu. The L. resolutus (p. p. of resolvere) means, relaxed, enervated, effeminate. See Resolve, v. t. & i.]1. Having a decided purpose; determined; resolved; fixed in a determination; hence, bold; firm; steady. Edward is at hand, Ready to fight; therefore be resolute. --Shak. 2. Convinced; satisfied; sure. [Obs.] 3. Resolving, or explaining; as, the Resolute Doctor Durand. [Obs.] Syn: Determined; decided; fixed; steadfast; steady; constant; persevering; firm; bold; unshaken.
Res`o*lu"tion\ (-l?"sh?n), n. [F. r['e]solution. L. resolutio a loosening, solution. See Resolve.]1. The act, operation, or process of resolving. Specifically: (a) The act of separating a compound into its elements or component parts. (b) The act of analyzing a complex notion, or solving a vexed question or difficult problem. The unraveling and resolution of the difficulties that are met with in the execution of the design are the end of an action. --Dryden. 2. The state of being relaxed; relaxation. [Obs.] 3. The state of being resolved, settled, or determined; firmness; steadiness; constancy; determination. Be it with resolution then to fight. --Shak. 4. That which is resolved or determined; a settled purpose; determination. Specifically: A formal expression of the opinion or will of an official body or a public assembly, adopted by vote; as, a legislative resolution; the resolutions of a public meeting. 5. The state of being resolved or firm in opinion or thought; conviction; assurance. [Obs.] Little resolution and certainty there is as touching the islands of Mauritania. --Holland. 6. (Math.) The act or process of solving; solution; as, the resolution of an equation or problem. 7. (Med.) A breaking up, disappearance; or termination, as of a fever, a tumor, or the like. 8. (Mus.) The passing of a dissonant into a consonant chord by the rising or falling of the note which makes the discord. Joint resolution. See under Joint, a. Resolution of a force or motion (Mech.), the separation of a single force or motion into two or more which have different directions, and, taken together, are an equivalent for the single one; -- the opposite of composition of a force. Resolution of a nebula (Astron.), the exhibition of it to the eye by a telescope of such power as to show it to be composed of small stars. Syn: Decision; analysis; separation; disentanglement; dissolution; resolvedness; resoluteness; firmness; constancy; perseverance; steadfastness; fortitude; boldness; purpose; resolve. See Decision.
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