2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  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.  & 
  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  --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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  resolving 
  n  :  analysis  into  clear-cut  components  [syn:  {resolution}] 

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