Resolve

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: re=solve

CIDE DICTIONARY

Resolve, v. t. [L. resolvere, resolutum, to untie, loosen, relax, enfeeble; pref. re- re- + solvere to loosen, dissolve: cf. F. résoudare to resolve. See Solve, and cf. Resolve, v. i., Resolute, Resolution.].

•  To separate the component parts of; to reduce to the constituent elements; -- said of compound substances; hence, sometimes, to melt, or dissolve.  [1913 Webster]

  "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,
  Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!"  [1913 Webster]

  "Ye immortal souls, who once were men,
  And now resolved to elements again."  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]

  "To the resolving whereof we must first know that the Jews were commanded to divorce an unbelieving Gentile."  [1913 Webster]
•  To cause to perceive or understand; to acquaint; to inform; to convince; to assure; to make certain.  [1913 Webster]

  "Sir, be resolved. I must and will come."  [1913 Webster]

  "Resolve me, Reason, which of these is worse,
  Want with a full, or with an empty purse?"  [1913 Webster]

  "In health, good air, pleasure, riches, I am resolved it can not be equaled by any region."  [1913 Webster]

  "We must be resolved how the law can be pure and perspicuous, and yet throw a polluted skirt over these Eleusinian mysteries."  [1913 Webster]
•  To determine or decide in purpose; to make ready in mind; to fix; to settle; as, he was resolved by an unexpected event.  [1913 Webster]
•  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).  [1913 Webster]
•  To change or convert by resolution or formal vote; -- used only reflexively; as, the house resolved itself into a committee of the whole.  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]
•  To dispere or scatter; to discuss, as an inflammation or a tumor.  [1913 Webster]
•  To let the tones (as of a discord) follow their several tendencies, resulting in a concord.  [1913 Webster]
•  To relax; to lay at ease.  B. Jonson.  [1913 Webster]

To resolve a nebula.(Astron.) See Resolution of a nebula, under Resolution.

Syn. -- To solve; analyze; unravel; disentangle.

Resolve, v. i. [The sense “to be convinced, to determine” comes from the idea of loosening, breaking up into parts, analyzing, hence, determining.].

•  To be separated into its component parts or distinct principles; to undergo resolution.  [1913 Webster]
•  To melt; to dissolve; to become fluid.  [1913 Webster]

  "When the blood stagnates in any part, it first coagulates, then resolves, and turns alkaline."  [1913 Webster]
•  To be settled in opinion; to be convinced.  [1913 Webster]

  "Let men resolve of that as they plaease."  [1913 Webster]
•  To form a purpose; to make a decision; especially, to determine after reflection; as, to resolve on a better course of life.  [1913 Webster]

Syn. -- To determine; decide; conclude; purpose.

Resolve, n. 

•  The act of resolving or making clear; resolution; solution.  Milton.  [1913 Webster]
•  That which has been resolved on or determined; decisive conclusion; fixed purpose; determination; also, legal or official determination; a legislative declaration; a resolution.  [1913 Webster]

  "Nor is your firm resolve unknown."  [1913 Webster]

  "Cæsar's approach has summoned us together,
  And Rome attends her fate from our resolves."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Resolve, v. & n.
--v.
1 intr. make up one's mind; decide firmly (resolve to do better).
2 tr. (of circumstances etc.) cause (a person) to do this (events resolved him to leave).
3 tr. (foll. by that + clause) (of an assembly or meeting) pass a resolution by vote (the committee resolved that immediate action should be taken).
4 intr. & tr. (often foll. by into) separate or cause to separate into constituent parts; disintegrate; analyse; dissolve.
5 tr. (of optical or photographic equipment) separate or distinguish between closely adjacent objects.
6 tr. & intr. (foll. by into) convert or be converted.
7 tr. & intr. (foll. by into) reduce by mental analysis into.
8 tr. solve; explain; clear up; settle (doubt, argument, etc.).
9 tr. & intr. Mus. convert or be converted into concord.
10 tr. Med. remove (inflammation etc.) without suppuration.
11 tr. Prosody replace (a long syllable) by two short syllables.
12 tr. Mech. replace (a force etc.) by two or more jointly equivalent to it.
--n.
1 a a firm mental decision or intention; a resolution (made a resolve not to go). b US a formal resolution by a legislative body or public meeting.
2 resoluteness; steadfastness.

Idiom

resolving power an instrument's ability to distinguish very small or very close objects.

Derivative

resolvable adj. resolvability n. resolver n.

Etymology

ME f. L resolvere resolut- (as RE-, SOLVE)

THESAURUS

Resolve

abort, accommodate, adjust, adopt, agree, aim, aim at, alter into, ambition, analyze, anatomize, animus, answer, approve, arrange matters, ascertain, aspiration, aspire after, aspire to, assay, be after, be converted into, be determined, become, block out, bottom, break, break down, break up, breakdown, bring to terms, bring together, cease, change into, choose, choose to, clear up, close, command, commitment, compose, compromise, conclude, counsel, crack, debug, decide, decidedness, decipher, decision, decisiveness, decode, decompose, decree, dedication, definiteness, desideration, desideratum, design, desire, destine, detail, determinateness, determination, determine, determinedness, devotion, disabuse, disentangle, dispel, disperse, dissect, dissipate, dissolve, divide, divine, do, dope, dope out, drive at, earnestness, effect, end, endeavor, enumerate, explain, fathom, figure, figure out, find, find out, find the answer, find the solution, finish, finish up, firmness, fix, fix up, fixed purpose, function, get, get right, go for, guess, guess right, harbor a design, harmonize, have every intention, have it, heal the breach, hit it, idea, intend, intendment, intent, intention, interpret, itemize, labor, make a decision, make out, mean, meaning, mediate, mind, motive, nisus, number, obstinacy, open the lock, outline, parse, pass, patch things up, perorate, perseverance, persistence, plan, plumb, point, project, proposal, propose, prospectus, psych, psych out, purge, purport, purpose, purposefulness, put in tune, puzzle out, ravel, ravel out, reconcile, reduce, reduce to, reduce to elements, relentlessness, resoluteness, resolution, resolve into, resolvedness, restore harmony, reunite, rid, riddle, rule, sake, scan, schematize, scrap, scratch, seal, see fit, seek, segment, self-will, separate, seriousness, settle, settle differences, sincerity, single-mindedness, smooth it over, solve, sort out, stop, strain, strive, striving, struggle, study, subdivide, sweat, sweat blood, take a resolution, tenacity, terminate, think, think fit, think good, think proper, total commitment, undertake, undo, unfold, unlock, unravel, unriddle, unscramble, untangle, untwist, unweave, view, weave peace between, will, wind up, wish, work, work out

ROGET THESAURUS

Resolve

Resolution

N resolution, determination, will, iron will, unconquerable will, will of one's own, decision, resolution, backbone, clear grit, true grit, grit, sand, strength of mind, strength of will, resolve, firmness, energy, manliness, vigor, game, pluck, resoluteness, zeal, aplomb, desperation, devotion, devotedness, mastery over self, self control, self command, self possession, self reliance, self government, self restraint, self conquest, self denial, moral courage, moral strength, perseverance, tenacity, obstinacy, bulldog, British lion, resolved, determined, strong-willed, strong-minded, resolute, self-possessed, decided, definitive, peremptory, tranchant, unhesitating, unflinching, unshrinking, firm, iron, gritty, indomitable, game to the backbone, inexorable, relentless, not to be shaken, not to be put down, tenax propositi, inflexible, obstinate, steady, earnest, serious, set upon, bent upon, intent upon, steel against, proof against, in utrumque paratus, resolutely, in earnest, in good earnest, seriously, joking apart, earnestly, heart and soul, on one's mettle, manfully, like a man, with a high hand, with a strong hand, at any rate, at any risk, at any hazard, at any price, at any cost, at any sacrifice, at all hazards, at all risks, at all events, a' bis ou a blanc, cost what it may, coute, a tort et a travers, once for all, neck or nothing, rain or shine, spes sibi quisque, celui qui veut celui-la peut, chi non s'arrischia non guadagna, frangas non flectes, manu forti, tentanda via est.

VB have determination, know one's own mind, be resolved, make up one's mind, will, resolve, determine, decide, form a determination, come to a determination, come to a resolution, come to a resolve, conclude, fix, seal, determine once for all, bring to a crisis, drive matters to an extremity, take a decisive step, take upon oneself, devote oneself to, give oneself up to, throw away the scabbard, kick down the ladder, nail one's colors to the mast, set one's back against the wall, set one's teeth, put one's foot down, take one's stand, stand firm, steel oneself, stand no nonsense, not listen to the voice of the charmer, buckle to, buckle oneself put one's shoulder to the wheel, lay one's shoulder to the wheel, set one's shoulder to the wheel, put one's heart into, run the gauntlet, make a dash at, take the bull by the horns, rush in medias res, plunge in medias res, go in for, insist upon, make a point of, set one's heart upon, set one's mind upon, stick at nothing, stop at nothing, make short work of, not stick at trifles, go all lengths, go the limit, go the whole hog, persist, go through fire and water, ride the tiger, ride in the whirlwind and direct the storm.

Predetermination

N predestination, preordination, premeditation, predeliberation, predetermination, foregone conclusion, fait accompli, parti pris, resolve, propendency, intention, project, fate, foredoom, necessity, prepense, premeditated, predesignated, predesigned, advised, studied, designed, calculated, aforethought, intended, foregone, well-laid, well-devised, well-weighed, maturely considered, cunning, advisedly, with premeditation, deliberately, all things considered, with eyes open, in cold blood, intentionally.

VB predestine, preordain, predetermine, premeditate, resolve, concert, resolve beforehand, predesignate.

Intention

N intent, intention, intentionality, purpose, quo animo, project, undertaking, predetermination, design, ambition, contemplation, mind, animus, view, purview, proposal, study, look out, final cause, raison d'etre, cui bono, object, aim, end, the be all and the end all, drift, tendency, destination, mark, point, butt, goal, target, bull's-eye, quintain, prey, quarry, game, decision, determination, resolve, fixed set purpose, settled purpose, ultimatum, resolution, wish, arriere pensee, motive, teleology, intended, intentional, advised, express, determinate, prepense, bound for, intending, minded, bent upon, at stake, on the anvil, on the tapis, in view, in prospect, in the breast of, in petto, teleological, intentionally, advisedly, wittingly, knowingly, designedly, purposely, on purpose, by design, studiously, pointedly, with intent, deliberately, with one's eyes open, in cold blood, for, with a view, with an eye to, in order to, in order that, to the end that, with the intent that, for the purpose of, with the view of, in contemplation of, on account of, in pursuance of, pursuant to, quo animo, to all intents and purposes, The road to hell is paved with good intentions, sublimi feriam sidera vertice.

Liquefaction

VB render liquid, liquefy, run, deliquesce, melt, solve, dissolve, resolve, liquate, hold in solution, condense, precipitate, rain.

Inquiry

VB make inquiry, inquire, ask, seek, search, look for, look about for, look out for, scan, reconnoiter, explore, sound, rummage, ransack, pry, peer, look round, look over, go over, look through, go through, spy, overhaul, ask about, inquire about, scratch the head, slap the forehead, look into every hole and corner, peer into every hole and corner, pry into every hole and corner, nose, trace up, search out, hunt down, hunt out, fish out, ferret out, unearth, leave no stone unturned, seek a clue, seek a clew, hunt, track, trail, mouse, dodge, trace, follow the trail, follow the scent, pursue, beat up one's quarters, fish for, feel for, investigate, take up an inquiry, institute an inquiry, pursue an inquiry, follow up an inquiry, conduct an inquiry, carry on an inquiry, carry out an inquiry, prosecute an inquiry, look at, look into, preexamine, discuss, canvass, agitate, examine, study, consider, calculate, dip into, dive into, delve into, go deep into, make sure of, probe, sound, fathom, probe to the bottom, probe to the quick, scrutinize, analyze, anatomize, dissect, parse, resolve, sift, winnow, view in all its phases, try in all its phases, thresh out, bring in question, bring into question, subject to examination, put to the proof, audit, tax, pass in review, take into consideration, take counsel, question, demand, put the question, pop the question, propose the question, propound the question, moot the question, start the question, raise the question, stir the question, suggest the question, put forth the question, ventilate the question, grapple with the question, go into a question, question, put to the question, interrogate, pump, subject to interrogation, subject to examination, cross-question, cross-examine, press for an answer, give the third degree, put to the inquisition, dodge, catechize, require an answer, pick the brains of, suck the brains of, feel the pulse, get the lay of the land, see how the wind is blowing, put one's ear to the ground, be in question, undergo examination.

Discovery

VB discover, find, determine, evolve, learn, fix upon, pick up, find out, trace out, make out, hunt out, fish out, worm out, ferret out, root out, fathom, bring out, draw out, educe, elicit, bring to light, dig out, grub up, fish up, unearth, disinter, solve, resolve, elucidate, unriddle, unravel, unlock, crack, crack open, pick up, open the lock, find a clue, find clew a to, find the key to the riddle, interpret, disclose, trace, get at, hit it, have it, lay one's finger, lay one's hands upon, spot, get at the truth, arrive at the truth, put the saddle on the right horse, hit the right nail on the head, be near the truth, be warm, get warmer, burn, smoke, scent, sniff, catch a whiff of, smell a rat, open the eyes to, see through, see daylight, see in its true colors, see the cloven foot, detect, catch, catch tripping, pitch upon, fall upon, light upon, hit upon, stumble upon, pop upon, come across, come onto, meet with, meet up with, fall in with, recognize, realize, verify, make certain of, identify, Int, eureka!, aha!, I've got it!.

Interpretation

VB interpret, explain, define, construe, translate, render, do into, turn into, transfuse the sense of, find out, 1 the meaning of, read, spell out, make out, decipher, unravel, disentangle, find the key of, enucleate, resolve, solve, read between the lines, account for, find the cause, tell the cause of, throw light upon, shed light upon, shed new light upon, shed fresh light upon, clear up, clarify, elucidate, illustrate, exemplify, unfold, expound, comment upon, annotate, popularize, take in a particular sense, understand in a particular sense, receive in a particular sense, accept in a particular sense, understand by, put a construction on, be given to understand.