n.
Pronunciation: ri- ' zälv, - ' zo ̇ lv also - ' zäv or - ' zo ̇ v
Function: verb
Inflected Form: re · solved ; re · solv · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin resolvere to unloose, dissolve, from re- + solvere to loosen, release ― more at SOLVE
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 obsolete : DISSOLVE , MELT
2 a : BREAK UP , SEPARATE <the prism resolved the light into a play of color> also : to change by disintegration b : to reduce by analysis < resolve the problem into simple elements> c : to distinguish between or make independently visible adjacent parts of d : to separate (a racemic compound or mixture) into the two components
3 : to cause resolution of (a pathological state)
4 a : to deal with successfully : clear up < resolve doubts> < resolve a dispute> b : to find an answer to c : to make clear or understandable d : to find a mathematical solution of e : to split up (as a vector) into two or more components especially in assigned directions
5 : to reach a firm decision about < resolve to get more sleep> < resolve disputed points in a text>
6 a : to declare or decide by a formal resolution and vote b : to change by resolution or formal vote <the house resolved itself into a committee>
7 : to make (as voice parts) progress from dissonance to consonance
8 : to work out the resolution of (as a play)
intransitive verb
1 : to become separated into component parts also : to become reduced by dissolving or analysis
2 : to form a resolution : DETERMINE
3 : CONSULT , DELIBERATE
4 : to progress from dissonance to consonance
synonyms see DECIDE
– re · solv · able \ - ' zäl-v ə -b ə l, - ' zo ̇ l- also - ' zä-v ə - or - ' zo ̇ -v ə - \ adjective
– re · solv · er noun