Re·solve v. t. [imp. & p. p. Resolved p. pr. & vb. n. Resolving.]
 1. To separate the component parts of; to reduce to the constituent elements; -- said of compound substances; hence, sometimes, to melt, or dissolve.
 O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,
 Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!   --Shak.
 Ye immortal souls, who once were men,
 And now resolved to elements again.   --Dryden.
 2. To reduce to simple or intelligible notions; -- said of complex ideas or obscure questions; to make clear or certain; to free from doubt; to disentangle; to unravel; to explain; hence, to clear up, or dispel, as doubt; as, to resolve a riddle. “Resolve my doubt.”
    To the resolving whereof we must first know that the Jews were commanded to divorce an unbelieving Gentile.   --Milton.
 3. To cause to perceive or understand; to acquaint; to inform; to convince; to assure; to make certain.
    Sir, be resolved. I must and will come.   --Beau. & Fl.
 Resolve me, Reason, which of these is worse,
 Want with a full, or with an empty purse?   --Pope.
    In health, good air, pleasure, riches, I am resolved it can not be equaled by any region.   --Sir W. Raleigh.
    We must be resolved how the law can be pure and perspicuous, and yet throw a polluted skirt over these Eleusinian mysteries.   --Milton.
 4. To determine or decide in purpose; to make ready in mind; to fix; to settle; as, he was resolved by an unexpected event.
 5. To express, as an opinion or determination, by resolution and vote; to declare or decide by a formal vote; -- followed by a clause; as, the house resolved (or, it was resolved by the house) that no money should be apropriated (or, to appropriate no money).
 6. To change or convert by resolution or formal vote; -- used only reflexively; as, the house resolved itself into a committee of the whole.
 7. Math. To solve, as a problem, by enumerating the several things to be done, in order to obtain what is required; to find the answer to, or the result of.
 8. Med. To dispere or scatter; to discuss, as an inflammation or a tumor.
 9. Mus. To let the tones (as of a discord) follow their several tendencies, resulting in a concord.
 10. To relax; to lay at ease. [Obs.]
 To resolve a nebula.Astron. See Resolution of a nebula, under Resolution.
 Syn: -- To solve; analyze; unravel; disentangle.


 Res·o·lu·tion n.
 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 Resolution of a 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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