Resolve \Re*solve"\ (r?*z?lv"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Resolved
(-z?lvd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Resolving.] [L. resolvere,
resolutum, to untie, loosen, relax, enfeeble; pref. re- re- +
solvere to loosen, dissolve: cf. F. r['e]soudare 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.
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O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew! --Shak.
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Ye immortal souls, who once were men,
And now resolved to elements again. --Dryden.
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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.
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To the resolving whereof we must first know that the
Jews were commanded to divorce an unbelieving
Gentile. --Milton.
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3. To cause to perceive or understand; to acquaint; to
inform; to convince; to assure; to make certain.
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Sir, be resolved. I must and will come. --Beau. &
Fl.
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Resolve me, Reason, which of these is worse,
Want with a full, or with an empty purse? --Pope.
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In health, good air, pleasure, riches, I am resolved
it can not be equaled by any region. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
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We must be resolved how the law can be pure and
perspicuous, and yet throw a polluted skirt over
these Eleusinian mysteries. --Milton.
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4. To determine or decide in purpose; to make ready in mind;
to fix; to settle; as, he was resolved by an unexpected
event.
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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).
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6. To change or convert by resolution or formal vote; -- used
only reflexively; as, the house resolved itself into a
committee of the whole.
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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.
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8. (Med.) To dispere or scatter; to discuss, as an
inflammation or a tumor.
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9. (Mus.) To let the tones (as of a discord) follow their
several tendencies, resulting in a concord.
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10. To relax; to lay at ease. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
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To resolve a nebula.(Astron.) See Resolution of a nebula,
under Resolution.
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Syn: To solve; analyze; unravel; disentangle.
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