p.
pr. pref. re-
re- + solvere to loosen, dissolve: cf. F.
resoudare to resolve. See Solve, and cf.
Resolve, v. i., Resolute,
Resolution.) 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.
Shak.
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. 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.
Hutton.
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.)
B. Jonson.
To resolve a nebula.(Astron.) See
Resolution of a nebula, under Resolution.
Syn. -- To solve; analyze; unravel; disentangle.
resolve (r?-z?lv), v. i. (The senseto be convinced, to determine comes from the idea of loosening,
breaking up into parts, analyzing, hence, determining.)
1. To be separated into its component parts or
distinct principles; to undergo resolution.
2. To melt; to dissolve; to become
fluid.
When the blood stagnates in any part, it first
coagulates, then resolves, and turns alkaline.
Arbuthhnot.
3. To be settled in opinion; to be
convinced. (R.)
Let men resolve of that as they
plaease.
Locke.
4. To form a purpose; to make a decision;
especially, to determine after reflection; as, to resolve on a
better course of life.
Syn. -- To determine; decide; conclude; purpose.
resolve , n. 1.The act of resolving or making clear; resolution; solution.
To give a full resolve of that which is so much controverted.
Milton.
2. That which has been resolved on or
determined; decisive conclusion; fixed purpose; determination; also,
legal or official determination; a legislative declaration; a
resolution.
Nor is your firm resolve unknown.
Shak.
Casars approach has summoned us together,
And Rome attends her fate from our resolves.
Addison.
