verb (used with object), re·solved, re·solv·ing.
- 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 deal with (a question, a matter of uncertainty, etc.) conclusively; settle; solve: to resolve the question before the board.
- 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.
verb (used without object), re·solved, re·solv·ing.
- 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.
noun
- a resolution or determination made, as to follow some course of action.
- firmness of purpose or intent; determination.
verb (mainly tr)
- (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 alterthe ghost resolved itself into a tree
- to make up the mind of; cause to decidethe tempest resolved him to stay at home
- to find the answer or solution to; solveto resolve a problem
- to explain away or dispelto resolve a doubt
- to bring to an end; concludeto 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
noun
- something determined or decided; resolutionhe had made a resolve to work all day
- firmness of purpose; determinationnothing can break his resolve
late 14c., “melt, dissolve, reduce to liquid;” intransitive sense from c.1400; from Old French resolver or directly from Latin resolvere “to loosen, loose, unyoke, undo; explain; relax; set free; make void, dispel,” from re-, perhaps intensive, or “back” (see re-), + solvere “loosen” (see solve). Early 15c. as “separate into components,” hence the use in optics (1785). Meaning “determine, decide upon” is from 1520s, hence “pass a resolution” (1580s). For sense evolution, cf. resolute (adj.). Related: Resolved; resolving.
“determination, firmness or fixedness of purpose; a determination,” 1590s, from resolve (v.).
v.
- To cause resolution of an abnormal condition.
- To separate an optically inactive compound or mixture into its optically active constituents.
- To render parts of an image visible and distinct.