\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.

\Re*solve"\ (r?-z?lv"), v. i. [The sense ``to 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.

\Re*solve"\, 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.
         C[ae]sar's approach has summoned us together, And
         Rome attends her fate from our resolves. --Addison.