▪ I. resolve, n.
(rɪˈzɒlv)
[f. the vb.]
1. A determination or resolution.
| 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. iv. i. 123 Get you gone, be strong and prosperous In this resolue. 1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 350 A catholike resolue for our Romane faith. 1667 Waterhouse Fire London 135 The common affection of Countrymen soders them into a common resolve of kindness each to other. 1700 Dryden Cymon & Iph. 526 Speak thy resolves; if now thy courage droop, Despair in prison. a 1794 Gibbon Misc. Wks. (1814) I. 125 My private resolves were influenced by the state of Europe. 1847 Helps Friends in C. (1851) I. 43 Mere stoicism, and resolves about fitting fortune to one's self. 1889 Jessopp Coming of Friars ii. 78 She made up her mind never to marry again, and she kept her resolve. |
2. Firmness or steadfastness of purpose.
| 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, v. v. 75 A Lady of so high resolue, (As is faire Margaret). 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. iv. v, We must be stiffe and steddie in resolve. 1789 Burns To Dr. Blacklock viii, Come, Firm Resolve, take thou the van. 1813 Shelley Q. Mab iv. 155 Man is of soul and body, formed for deeds Of high resolve. 1873 Symonds Grk. Poets ix. 296 We find in them no hesitancy and difficult resolve. |
3. A determination of a deliberative body; a formal resolution. Now U.S.
| 1656 Burton's Diary (1828) I. 270 A short vote or resolve of this House..would haply give satisfaction for the present. 1657 Ibid. II. 94 The several resolves of Parliament touching the matter. 1713 Addison Cato ii. i, Cæsar's approach has summon'd us together, And Rome attends her fate from our resolves. 1775 Franklin in Burke's Corr. (1844) II. 28, I hear your proposed resolves were negatived by a great majority. 1794 S. Williams Vermont 296 That part of the resolves in which the state was threatened. 1859 Bartlett Dict. Amer. (ed. 2) 362 Resolves are usually private acts, and are often passed with less formality. 1865 H. Phillips Amer. Paper Curr. II. 55 These resolves were ordered to be published. |
† 4. Answer, solution. Obs.
| a 1625 Faithf. Friends ii. ii, I crave but ten short days to give resolve To this important suit. 1643 Milton Divorce i. viii, In hope to give a full resolve of that which is yet so much controverted. 1670 W. Simpson Hydrol. Ess. 25 If you consult what I say..you may find a sufficient resolve thereof. |
† 5. Mus. (See quot.) Obs. rare—1.
| 1721 Bradley Philos. Acc. Wks. Nat. 160 The progressive Tones from that Ground-Note to the Octave, which is the Resolve of the Ground-Note, declares the Key. |
▪ II. resolve, v.
(rɪˈzɒlv)
Also 4–7 resolue.
[ad. L. resolvĕre, f. re- re- + solvĕre to loosen, dissolve. Cf. It. re-, risolvere, Sp. and Pg. resolver, obs. F. resolver, -vir (mod.F. résoudre).]
I. † 1. trans. To melt, dissolve, reduce to a liquid or fluid state. Obs.
For examples with const. into, to, see 6 and 9.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iv. metr. v. (1868) 133 No man ne wondreþ whan þe weyȝte of þe snowe yhardid by þe colde is resolued by þe brennynge hete of phebus. 1388 Wyclif Job xxviii. 2 A stoon resolued, ethir meltid, bi heete, is turned in to money. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. xii. 526 Whit wex is to resolue In fynest oil. 1530 Palsgr. 688/1 This metall can nat be resolved without a marvayllous sharpe fyre. 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 141 Cleopatra resolued a pearle in vineger & drunke it. 1609 Holland Amm. Marcell. 117 Euphrates was risen by reason of snow newly thawed and resolved. 1678 Dryden All for Love iii. i, He could resolve his Mind, as Fire does Wax, From that hard rugged Image, melt him down [etc.]. 1732 Arbuthnot Aliments, etc. i. 270 Soaps which resolve solid Substances. |
| transf. 1582 Batman Barth. De P.R. xi. iii. 159 And the west winde..resolveth and unbindeth winter. 1638 Rawley tr. Bacon's Life & Death (1650) 5 The Drying caused by Cold, is but weak, and easily resolved. |
2. a. To disintegrate; to break up or separate into constituent or elementary parts. Now rare or Obs.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. iii. xix (1495) 65 The smoke that is resoluyd and comyth from the thynge that is smellyd. c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 68 Þe bodyes [of men]..ar resoluyd by kyndly hete, þat makes drye þe moystnes of þe body. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 365 The see grauel is lattest for to drye,..The salt in hit thi werkis wol resolue. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. (1586) 17 b, A mellow ground that is fat, and will soone be resolved. 1584 Cogan Haven Health ccxviii. (1636) 251 The fumes and vapors of ale..cannot bee so soone resolved as those that rise up of wine. 1620 Venner Via Recta iii. 52 They will too soon resolue the iuyce of lighter meats. 1633 Earl of Manchester Al Mondo (1636) 94 It is well for man that his bodie by death becomes putrid, resolved and crumbled to nothing. 1776 Bowden Farmer's Director 18 By the assistance of alternate rain and drought, to resolve and break the hard clods. |
† b. To analyse, examine (a statement). Obs.
| 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. ii. vii. §9 Examine, sift, and resolve their alledged proofs, till you come to the very root whence they spring. |
† c. Math. To solve (an equation). Obs.
| 1743 Emerson Fluxions 36 Then we had been obliged to substitute a + z or a - z for x in the given Equation before it could be resolved. 1798 Hutton Course Math. (1827) I. 269 The form that a cubic equation must necessarily have, to be resolved by this rule. |
d. To analyse (a force or velocity) into components. (Cf. resolution 9.)
| 1785 T. Parkinson Syst. Mech. iv. 80 One force..may be resolved into any number, either in the same, or different planes, producing the same effect with it. 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 5 Each of those portions may, by a similar process, be again divided, resolving the original force to infinity. 1866 Herschel Fam. Lect. Sci. 90 This force then being resolved in radial and tangential directions [etc.]. |
e. Orig. of optical instruments (or persons using them): To separate, break up (an object) into distinguishable parts. Now more widely, to distinguish (things similar in magnitude or close together in time). Cf. resolution 2 c.
| 1785 Herschel in Phil. Trans. LXXV. 219 When he resolves one nebula into stars, he discovers ten new ones which he cannot resolve. 1868 Lockyer Elem. Astron. §77 Star-clusters..so distant that even in telescopes of great power they could not be resolved. 1870 Emerson Soc. & Sol. Wks. (Bohn) III. 3 The remoter stars seem a nebula of united light; yet there is no group which a telescope will not resolve. 1932 Proc. R. Soc. A. CXXXVI. 313 Two particles separated by as little as 1/500th second could be ‘resolved’ and correctly recorded. |
3. Med. a. To soften (a hard tumour); to disperse or dissipate (humours, swellings, etc.). ? Obs.
| c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 210 If þou miȝt not wiþ repercussiuis do awei þe enpostym ne resolue him. Ibid. 353 Whanne þe mater þat þou wolt resolue is swiþe hard. 1541 Copland Galyen's Terap. Hh iv, When ecchymosis is all dygested & resolued, than it is parmytted to drye the broken flesshe. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 274 Those plasters which resolue or maturat any impostumed place. 1683 Salmon Doron Med. ii. 427 For it resolves all hard humors. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man i. ii. §i. 127 Embrocations are of Use in resolving Obstructions. 1786 J. Hunter Ven. Dis. iv. vi. 404 This method of resolving buboes occurred to me at Belleisle in the year 1761. |
| absol. 1562 Turner Herbal ii. (1568) 117 Oyl that is made of vnrype oliues..doth myghtely resolue. 1610 Markham Masterp. ii. clxxiii. 483 It burneth, draweth, and resolueth, and is goode for scurfe. 1708 Brit. Apollo No. 93. 2/2 Green Tea..Resolves, and Attenuates. |
† b. To dissipate or allay (pain, etc.). Obs. rare.
| 1573 Treas. Hid. Secrets xix, Oyle of Rue is hot, resolving pain. 1600 Surflet Countrie Farme ii. xlviii. 306 An oyle..which hath power to resolue, soften, and appease the griefe of colde rheumes or distillations. a 1617 Bayne On Eph. (1658) 130 Fire..hath not onely heat resolving numbnesse,..but it hath light. |
c. To remove (inflammation) by resolution.
| 1732 Arbuthnot Rules Diet in Aliments, etc. 321 Such a Fever is often resolv'd by a bleeding at the Nose. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 361 When empyema follows upon pneumonia, the pulmonary inflammation sometimes is never resolved. |
† 4. a. To slacken, relax (the limbs, etc.); to weaken. Obs.
| 1483 Caxton Fables of æsop 3 By cause the water was hote and their stomake [was] resolued by the water. 1540–1 Elyot Image Gov. (1556) 30 Lyke as by the other the strengthe of bodie is resolvyd. 1588 Kyd Househ. Phil. Wks. (1901) 248 The night..[in which] we may sufficiently restore our bodies resolued with the..heate of the day. 1644 Bulwer Chiron. 35 The Hand collected, the Fingers looking downewards, then turned and resolved. 1715 Rowe Lady Jane Grey ii, Every moving accent that she breathes Resolves my courage, slackens my tough nerves. |
† b. To render lax in feeling or conduct. Obs.
| c 1550 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture in Babees Bk. (1868) 106 It is a very hard work of continence to repell the paynting glose of flatterings whose words resolue the hart with plesure. 1611 B. Jonson Catiline iii. iii, Each house [being] Resolved in freedom. |
† c. To relax or withdraw (a law). Obs.
| 1537 State Papers Hen. VIII, VII. 706 The act made for money by exchange, the wiche,..onles it be resolvid, wilbe a great ocacion..to cawse a stey for salis of wolen clothis. |
5. † a. To cause (discord) to pass away. Obs.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 282 b, It resolueth discorde, reconsyleth ennemyes, & maketh them frendes. |
b. Mus. To cause (a discord) to pass into a concord. (Cf. resolution 8 b.)
| 1727–38 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Discord, The discord is resolved by being immediately succeeded by a concord. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XVI. 125/1 There is no possible manner of resolving a dissonance which is not derived from an operation of cadence. 1838 Penny Cycl. XII. 50/1 Most discords require to be prepared, and all must be resolved. 1868 Ouseley Harmony ii. (1875) 20 When the discords have thus been rendered agreeable to the ear, they are said to be resolved. |
II. 6. a. To separate (a thing) into its component parts or elements; to dissolve into some other physical form. † Also const. in.
| c 1430 Life St. Kath. 99 My body whyche aftur þe inevitable lawe of nature abydeth to be resolued into deþ. 1477 Norton Ord. Alch. v. in Ashm. (1652) 79 Liquors departeth Qualities asunder, Substance resolving in Attomes. 1533 Bellenden Livy i. xv. (S.T.S.) I. 85 Becaus þe stoupis and pillaris þareof war all of tre, they war haistelie brynt and resoluit in powder. 1598 R. Barckley Felic. Man (1631) 706 God will rayse up His worke that is resolved into dust. 1635 Swan Spec. M. v. §2 (1643) 138 Green clouds..are altogether watery, and as it were resolved into water. 1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. i. xxvii. 65 The sooty Vapors are condensed, and being resolved into water, are [etc.]. 1781 Cowper Charity 562 He ordains things..To be resolv'd into their parent earth. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India I. ii. x. 446 The Empire of the Mahrattas..would have been resolv'd..into its primitive elements. 1891 Spectator 4 July 5/2 A..campaign intended to break up Italy, or to resolve the German Empire back again into its elements. |
b. In figurative contexts.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 60 His herte shall yerne and melte,..& be hole resolued in to teares. 1568 Wilmot Tancred & Gismonda ii. iii, A resolution that resolues my bloud Into the Ice-sie drops of Lethes flood. 1607 Shakes. Timon iv. iii. 442 The Seas a Theefe, whose liquid Surge, resolues The Moone into Salt teares. |
c. To convert, transform, alter (a thing) into some other thing or form.
| 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 327 A Towne called Horsmundene, which name (resolved into Saxon Orthographie) is [etc.]. a 1623 Swinburne Spousals (1686) 27 By the same means..are those Spousals by them contracted in their Minority..resolved or turned into Matrimony. 1641 Jrnls. Ho. Comm. 31 Dec., That the House be resolved into a Committee, to take into Consideration the Militia of the Kingdom. 1743 Tomlinson Prot. Birthright 13 Into whose Authority all Christians have resolved their Faith and Obedience. 1861 Dickens in All Year Round 1 June 221 The spectral figure..seemed all resolved into a ghastly stare. 1889 Standard 9 Apr., Emin..has seen islands resolved into headlands. |
7. a. To reduce by mental analysis into more elementary forms, principles, or relations. † Also const. in.
| 1388 Prol. Wyclif Bible xv. (1850) 57 An ablatif case absolute may be resoluid into these thre wordis. 1570 Billingsley Euclid i. prop. 32. 42 Euery right lined figure is resolued in two triangles. 1628 T. Spencer Logick 284 When the causes doe argue the effect, the effect is resolued into the causes. a 1674 Clarendon Surv. Leviath. (1676) 8 He resolv'd all Wisdom and Religion itself into a simple obedience and submission to it. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. (Globe) 204 After I had entertain'd these Notions, and, by long musing, had as it were resolv'd them all into nothing. 1774 Pennant Tour Scotl. in 1772, 233, I was for resolving this phænomenon into Ship-wrecks. 1841 Myers Cath. Th. iv. §2. 184 Why may we not..resolve Christianity into a system of practical Morality? 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 239 All sensation is to be resolved into a similar combination of an agent and patient. |
† b. To reduce or convert (a quantity) into some other denomination. Obs.
| 1571 Digges Pantom. i. xxi. G j b, Then resolue 20 foote into inches. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. ii. vi. 66 The Degrees resolved into Hours and Minutes, is 1 Hour 49 Min. 1672 Petty Pol. Anat. (1691) 352 The victuals.., resolved into money, may be estimated 3s. 6d. per week. |
8. refl. a. Of things: To pass, by dissolution, separation, or change, into another form or into simpler forms.
| 1602 Shakes. Ham. i. ii. 130 Oh that this too too solid Flesh, would melt, Thaw, and resolue it selfe into a Dew. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World i. i. §7 (1634) 9 The Waters..resolved their thinner parts into Aire. 1799 Southey Cool Refl. during Midsummer Walk, For the flesh upon them; It hath resolved itself into a dew. 1814 Chalmers Evidences ii. 46 The argument..resolves itself into four parts. 1868 Herschel in People's Mag. Jan. 63 Its pileus..has the singular property of resolving itself..into a black liquid. 1879 Lubbock Addr. Pol. & Educ. iii. 44 His complaint resolves itself into two parts. |
b. Of a deliberative body: To convert (itself) into a committee.
| 1710 Lond. Gaz. No. 4699/3 The House resolved it self into a Committee of the whole House. 1753 [see committee 3]. 1818 Parl. Debates 1422/1 The house then resolved itself into a committee on the bill. 1885 Manch. Exam. 7 Oct. 5/3 The meeting unanimously resolved itself into a committee. |
9. To reduce, transform, or change (a thing) to something else. Also refl. Now rare.
| 1538 Starkey England i. i. 16 Yf ther be any cyuyle law ordeynyd wych can not be resoluyd therto, hyt ys of no value. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. Wks. (Grosart) IV. 67 The Snow on thy Mountaines, by the Sunne is resolued to water. 1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts, N.T. 321 O ye my faithfull ones who are now resolved to the very dust of the earth. 1665 Dryden Ind. Emp. ii. i, Ye Immortal Souls, who once were Men, And now resolv'd to Element agen. 1799 Southey Minor Poems Poet. Wks. II. 202 Earth, air, and water's ministering particles Now to the elements Resolved, their uses done. 1856 Lever Martins of Cro' M. xxiii, All resolves itself to some question of a harm to one side. 1875 Stedman Victorian Poets 387 The succeeding chorus..resolves attention to enchantment. |
III. † 10. To untie, loosen. Obs. rare.
| 1558 T. Phaer æneid vii. 155 Resolue [L. solvite] your heades attyre, & celebrate this daunce with me. 1609 Bible (Douay) Dan. v. 16 Thou canst interpret obscure thinges, and resolve [L. dissolvere] thinges bound. |
11. a. To answer (a question, argument, etc.); to solve (a problem of any kind).
| 1577 tr. Bullinger's Decades (1592) 458 Mee thinketh therefore that this question canne bee none otherwise resolued. 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osorius 212 Least he exclayme agayne that his argumentes are not throughly resolved, I will answere in few wordes. 1647 Sprigge Anglia Rediv. ii. i. (1854) 72 This resolved the question at the council of war without putting it. 1685 Baxter Par. N.T. Matt. xxii. 18 He answered so cautelously as not to resolve the third question. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 19 ¶15 After a great part of life spent in enquiries which can never be resolved. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §219 A curious question, which being myself unable to resolve, I must leave to the learned. 1830 Sir J. Herschel Study Nat. Phil. iii. i. (1851) 221 We are called upon to resolve the important and difficult problem. 1975 New Yorker 17 Nov. 94/2 Bress proposed the questions to be resolved by the jury—whether the subpoenas were properly served on the McSurelys, whether they refused to comply with a lawful command of Congress, and whether their refusal was willful. 1976 Amer. Speech 1973 XLVIII. 248 Nor can Atlas materials resolve Kypriotaki's basic question of lexical or environmental control of initial syllable deletion. |
| refl. 1800 Stuart in Owen Wellesley's Desp. (1877) 576 This question of war will soon resolve itself. |
b. With double object.
| 1588 Shakes. Tit. A. v. iii. 35 Resolue me this, Was it well done..To slay his daughter? 1596 ― Tam. Shr. iv. ii. 7 What Master reade you first, resolue me that? 1687 T. Brown Saints in Uproar Wks. 1730 I. 75 Resolve me a question or two. 1706 Estcourt Fair Example i. i, Pray will you resolve me one Question? 1781 E. Inchbald I'll tell you what iv. i, If you can resolve me that..I have no censure for you. |
c. To explain; to make clear.
| c 1585 Faire Em i. 314 In friendship then resolue What is the cause of your unlookt for stay? 1633 Ford 'Tis Pity i. ii, What's the ground? Sor. That, with your patience, signiors, I'll resolve. a 1661 Fuller Worthies (1840) III. 424 Some resolve all this passion on a point of mere revenge. 1718 Prior Solomon iii. 838 The Man who would resolve the Work of Fate, May limit Number, and make Crooked Strait. 1821 Wordsw. Eccl. Sonn. i. xxix, The full-orbed Moon..doth appear Silently to consume the heavy clouds; How no one can resolve. 1866 Bushnell Vicar. Sacr. Introd. 14 Attempts have been made, in all ages,..to assert what is called ‘the moral view’ of the atonement, and resolve it by the power it wields in human character. |
12. a. To remove, clear away, dispel (a doubt, difficulty, or obscurity).
| 1571 Digges Pantom. i. xix. F ij, Small practize will resolue all doubtes. 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, iv. i. 135 But ere I goe, Hastings and Mountague, Resolue my doubt. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. 48 Myself can shew a catalogue of Doubts which are not resolved at the first hearing. 1666–7 Marvell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 210 If you find any thing perplext in it, I shall..resolve any scruple that you may have of its exposition. 1706 Vanbrugh Mistake ii. Wks. 1893 II. 254 You must resolve one doubt, which often gives me great disturbance. 1776 Gibbon Decl. & F. xvii. I. 464 He was frequently requested to resolve the doubts of inferior judges. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv. v. 165 All doubts might be resolved by the interrogation..of the commander. 1873 Black Pr. Thule xiii. 198 She had bravely resolved her doubts and made up her mind. |
† b. To dissipate, dispel (fear). Obs. rare.
| 1595 Shakes. John ii. i. 371 Kings of our feare, vntill our feares resolu'd Be..purg'd. c 1605 ? Rowley Birth of Merlin v. ii, Speak, learned Merlin, and resolve my fears. |
† c. To satisfy (a person's curiosity). Obs.—1
| 1749 Fielding Tom Jones vii. iii, Indeed we cannot resolve his curiosity as to this point. |
13. a. To decide, determine, settle (a doubtful point).
| 1612 T. Taylor Comm. Titus i. 9 Resoluing all doubtful cases. 1662 Playford Skill Mus. ii. (1674) 110 Which of these two is the best way, may easily be resolved. 1704 Swift Mech. Operat. Spirit Misc. (1711) 274, I have been perplex'd for some time to resolve what would be the most proper Form to send it abroad in. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones iv. xii, Whether Mrs. Honour really deserved that suspicion..is a matter which we cannot indulge the reader's curiosity in resolving. 1842 Cole Westm. Abbey 107 Whether or not they [sc. mandates] were executed, our antiquaries have not yet resolved. |
b. With dependent clause (or equivalent) expressing the decision arrived at.
| 1586 Leicester Corr. (Camden) 401 The surgion doth fully resolue..he is without danger for this blowe. 1621 Lady M. Wroth Urania 40 They all beheld this place with great wonder, Parselius resoluing it was some Enchauntment. 1642 J. M[arsh] Argt. conc. Militia 18 It is resolved by the Judges that the King may hold his Parliament without the Spirituall Lords. a 1719 Rogers (J.), Happiness, it was resolved by all, must be some one uniform end. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) II. 309 It was resolved, that the remainder limited to B. was good. |
† c. To set down decisively as being of a certain character. Obs. rare.
| 1609 B. Jonson Sil. Wom. iv. ii, But he loses no reputation with us, for we all resolv'd him an asse before. 1625 Bp. R. Montagu App. Cæsar 2 All things..so Delivered.. are Errors actuall in themselves; and so stand resolved and accounted of in the Doctrine of the Church. |
† d. To conclude, to settle (a thing) in one's mind. Obs.
| a 1618 Raleigh Rem. (1644) 237 He left me so weak that he resolved not to find me alive. 1658–9 Burton's Diary (1828) IV. 55, I was some days since to seek what to resolve in this great debate. 1702 J. Logan in Pennsylv. Hist. Soc. Mem. IX. 122 Having solicitously resolved several things in my thoughts relating to it, I endeavoured to stave them off. |
† e. To fix on, choose (a person). Obs.—1
| 1709 Mrs. Manley Secret Mem. (1736) 3 She had..resolved him for her peculiar Pleasures. |
14. a. To determine or decide upon (a course of action, etc.). Also, with oneself.
Const. with direct object, or with (that and) clause.
| 1523 Hen. VIII in Lett. Kings Eng. (Halliw.) I. 284 We..have resolved and determined that..ye shall then have your letters of discharge. 1588 Shakes. Tit. A. ii. i. 105 So must you resolue, That..You must perforce accomplish [it] as you may. 1609 B. Jonson Sil. Wom. iii. i, It shall be done, that's resolved. 1667 Milton P.L. i. 662 Warr Open or understood must be resolv'd. Ibid. ix. 830 Confirm'd then I resolve, Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe. 1682 Bunyan Holy War (1905) 198 Wilt thou..suffer thy priviledges to be invaded and taken away? or what wilt resolve with thy self? 1699 Bentley Phal. Pref. p. iii, 'Twas very well resolv'd of them, to make the Preface and Book all of a piece. 1710 Shaftesbury Charac. (1737) I. Advice i. i. 153, I have resolv'd with myself, that the maxim might be admitted. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. xxix. III. 125 As soon as they had resolved his death, they condescended to flatter his pride. 1819 Shelley Cenci iii. i. 169 All must be suddenly resolved and done. 1842 R. I. Wilberforce Rutilius & Lucius 265 He had seen enough of the Christians to resolve that nothing should induce him to stain his hands with their blood. |
b. To adopt or pass as a resolution.
| 1590 Cartwright in Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. (1655) 201 At some of such meetings..it was resolved..that such..conferences in severall Shires should be erected. 1604 Jrnls. Ho. Comm. 26 June, Resolved, upon further Motion, That Mr. Speaker..should present Thanks to his Majesty [etc.]. 1806 Med. Jrnl. XV. 253 Resolved unanimously, that this meeting..entertains the most firm conviction that [etc.]. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 175 The Commons began by resolving that every member should, on pain of expulsion, take the sacrament [etc.]. 1866 Lowell Seward-Johnson Reaction Prose Wks. 1890 V. 288 The Convention might almost as well have resolved the multiplication table article by article. |
c. To put (a person) out of a condition by a resolution.
| 1798 I. Allen Hist. Vermont 237 The inhabitants of Vermont had lived in a state of independence.., and could not now submit to be resolved out of it. |
† 15. a. To free (one) from doubt or perplexity; to bring to certainty or clear understanding. Obs. (Common in 17th c.)
| 1548 Geste Pr. Masse 81 The broken bread and blessed wyne is institute purposely to resolve and ascertayn our senses. 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 360 If you yet doubt, conferre (I pray you) his report with theirs, and it shall resolve you. 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. iv. ii. 225 Yet you are amaz'd, but this shall absolutely resolue you. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. ii. Ad Sect. xii. 98 To strengthen the weake, to resolue the scrupulous, to teach the ignorant. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. (Globe) 305 We knew not what Course to take, but the Creatures resolv'd us soon. |
† b. Const. of or in the matter of doubt. Obs.
| 1567 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 515 That thai being certifiit of the veritie may be resolvit of all doubt. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. (1882) 68 Ask..and I will doe the best I can, to resolue you in anything you shall demand. 1648 Gage West. Ind. 6 To resolve the Pope himself of whatsoever difficult points in Divinity may be questioned. 1651 Culpepper Astrol. Judgem. Dis. (1658) 6, I know you would be resolved in one particular. 1767 S. Paterson Anoth. Trav. II. 23 You may ask whatever questions you please, and you shall be resolved of everything within my power. |
† c. With dependent clause introduced by where, which, why, etc. (Passing into 17 b.) Obs.
| 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, ii. i. 9, I cannot ioy, vntill I be resolu'd Where our right valiant Father is become. a 1648 Ld. Herbert Hen. VIII (1683) 582 He sent to Spain to be resolv'd..which of the two Marriages were most convenient. 1690 Locke Govt. i. xi. §147 It will always remain a Doubt..till our A. resolves us, whether Shem..had right to Govern. 1720 De Foe Capt. Singleton xvi. (1840) 276 Whether we..may come off any better.., I cannot resolve thee. 1756 Washington Lett. Writ. 1889 I. 253, I wish your Honor would resolve me, whether the militia..must be supplied out of the public stocks of provisions. |
† 16. a. To convince (one) of something. Obs.
| 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 403 For, thus bee you fully resolved of my nature, that with such reverence I remember you. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, iii. iv. 20 Long since we were resolued of your truth. a 1604 Hanmer Chron. Irel. (1633) 159 This Lacy behaved himselfe so discreetly..that the King was resolved of his truth and fidelity. 1744 Fielding Tumble-down Dick Argt., She advises him to go to the Roundhouse,..and there be resolved from his own mouth of the truth of his Sire. |
† b. To assure (one) that. Also with of. Obs.
| 1590 Webbe Trav. To Rdr., They doubtles will resolue them that it is true which is here expressed. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. ii. iv. §2 Nothing but only the word of God can..resolve us that we do well. 1642 Rogers Naaman 830 It is said of Hanna, that ere Eli had resolved her from God of a sonne, shee was full of trouble. 1650 R. Stapylton Strada's Low C. Wars viii. 30 And, when they resolved him no danger should accrue to either [etc.]. |
† 17. a. To inform, tell (a person) of a thing. Obs.
| 1568 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 629 It is thocht convenient to resolve all personis of the same, that nane heireftir sall pretend occasioun of ignorance. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, iv. v. 19 My Letter will resolue him of my minde. 1632 Lithgow Trav. x. 451 He went back, resoluing them of my stiffe denyall. |
† b. With dependent clause. Obs.
| 1592 Marlowe Massacre Paris iii. iv, The wound, I warrant you, is deep, my lord. Search, surgeon, and resolve me what thou seest. 1601 B. Jonson Poetaster iv. ii, Pray you, resolue mee, why giue you that heauenly prayse, to this earthly banquet? 1690 Locke Govt. ii. ii. §9, I desire them to resolve me, by what Right any Prince..can put to death..an Alien. 1697 Dryden æneid viii. 150 Resolve me, Strangers, whence and what you are. |
† c. With direct question, or ellipt. Chiefly in imperative, asking for an answer. Obs.
| 1607 Norden Surv. Dial. ii. 56, I pray thee, if thou canst, resolue me. Whether is the heriot payd [etc.]? 1687 T. Brown Saints in Uproar Wks. 1730 I. 76 Who was your father? Come, resolve me immediately. 1709 Prior Mezeray's Hist., Can Sense this Paradox endure? Resolve me, Cambray, or Fontaine. 1772 Wesley Jrnl. 31 Oct., They asked me, ‘whether they were good or bad spirits?’ But I could not resolve them. 1819 Scott Ivanhoe xvii, Resolve me, Holy Clerk, hast thou never practised such a pastime? |
† d. To answer (one); to make answer to. Obs.
| 1586 Young Guazzo's Civ. Conv. iv. 219, I resolue thee (faire Ladie) thus, that many times I tried [etc.]. |
18. † a. To advise (one) to a decision. Obs.
| a 1648 Ld. Herbert Hen. VIII (1683) 458 He was resolv'd by his Council rather to weary and famish the Emperors Army. 1656 Burton's Diary (1828) I. 32, I would have the Committee to resolve you how you will proceed. |
b. To determine (a person) on a course of action. Also with inf.
| 1836 Browning & Forster Life Strafford (1892) 15 The events of the interim had resolved the leaders of the house on abandoning the terms proposed. 1890 Sir C. Russell in Daily News 24 July 2/7 The knowledge of this marriage resolved Lord and Lady C...to send their son abroad. |
19. refl. † a. To make up one's mind. Obs.
| a 1528 Fox Let. to Wolsey in Strype Eccl. Mem. V. 406 Of whom his ho. wil resolve hymself, we cannot yet tell. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 1351/1 Resolue your selfe my lord, you haue a goodlie soule. 1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 25 Solliciting Sebastian to resolue himselfe either to enter or be excluded. 1626 Fletcher Noble Gent. iv. iv, Tell me, have you resolv'd yourself for court? |
† b. To join oneself to another's opinion. Obs.—1
| 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 648 The Erle of Salisbury and other his friendes, seyng his courage, resolued themselues to his opinion. |
† c. To free (oneself) of a doubt. Obs. rare.
| 1580 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 418 If thou resolue thy selfe of a doubt, I cannot thinke thee very sharpe. 1597 Morley Introd. Mus. 4 If you remember that which before you tolde mee you vnderstood: you would resolue your selfe of that doubt. |
d. To assure, satisfy, or convince (oneself) on some point.
| 1593 Lodge William Longbeard C 3 In youth be true, and then in age resolve thee, Friends will be friends. a 1618 Raleigh Rem. (1644) 237 If I live to return, resolve your self that it is the care for you that hath strengthened my heart. 1657 S. Purchas Pol. Flying-Ins. 74 If you taste it, you will easily resolve your self. 1710 Shaftesbury Charac. (1737) II. ii. iii. 276 We apprehend a larger Scheme, and easily resolve our-selves why Things were not compleated in this State. 1814 Cary Dante, Par. xxviii. 7 [As one who] turneth to resolve him, if the glass Have told him true. 1869 Goulburn Purs. Holiness vi. 48 He must resolve himself on the question. |
IV. intr.
† 20. To take rise. Obs. rare—1.
| c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. v. metr. i. (1868) 151 Tigris and eufrates resoluen and spryngen of a welle in þe kragges of þe roche of þe contre of achemenye. |
21. To melt, dissolve, become liquid. ? Obs.
| c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 72 In þis tyme..þe wyndes blowyn, þe snow resoluys. c 1440 Alph. Tales 443 Þis yse resoluyd into watir. 1536 Bellenden Cron. Scot. (1821) I. p. xxxiii, Ony frosin thing that is cassin in it, meltis and resolvis hastilie. 1595 Shakes. John v. iv. 25 Euen as a forme of waxe Resolueth from his figure 'gainst the fire. 1611 B. Jonson Catiline iii. iii, May my brain Resolve to water, and my blood turn phlegm. 1665 Phil. Trans. I. 106 After a while it resolves again, and grows dilute. 1731 Arbuthnot Aliments iv. 104 When the Blood stagnates in any part of the Body, it first coagulates, then resolves, and turns alkaline. 1759 B. Martin Nat. Hist. Eng. I. 19 Congealed (as it were) in Clusters, which resolve, and the frozen Swallows revive by the Warmth. |
| fig. 1696 Southerne Oroonoko v. v, Our honours, interests resolving down, Run in the gentle current of our joys. |
22. a. To undergo dissolution or separation into elements; to pass into, return or change to, some form or state.
| c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 68 It ys to wete þat mannys body..continuely er dimunisshed and resoluyn aȝeyn. 1509 Fisher Serm. C'tess Richmond Wks. (1876) 304 Fyrst it [sc. the body] anone begynneth to putrefye & resolue in to foule corrupcyon. 1589 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 58 Pleusidippus eyes at this speach resolued into fire. 1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. IV lxxvii, This Insect..Resolues to dirt againe in the next Storme. 1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. (1701) 5/1 He conceived Water to be the first principle of all natural Bodies, whereof they consist, and into which they resolve. 1715 Pope Iliad ii. 44 The phantom..Resolves to air, and mixes with the night. 1716 Ibid. vii. 113 Go then, resolve to earth, from whence ye grew. 1847 C. Brontë J. Eyre xxvii, The roof resolved to clouds, high and dim. 1878 M. A. Brown tr. Runeberg's Nadeschda 66 The marble then In transformation dire into speech resolved. |
b. Of non-material things.
| 1679 Dryden Troil. & Cress. i. i, Then every thing resolves to brutal Force, And headlong Force is led by hoodwink'd Will. 1711 Shaftesbury Charac. (1737) II. iii. i. 345, I..celebrate the Beautys which resolve in Thee, the Source..of all Perfection. 1752 Hume Ess., Balance Trade (1817) I. 315 These cases, when examined, will be found to resolve into our general theory. 1818 Scott Br. Lamm. xv, It would resolve into an equitable claim. 1852 Sir W. Hamilton Discuss. 533 What would otherwise resolve into a conscious outrage of the most sacred obligations. |
c. Path. To undergo resolution.
| 1822–34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) II. 285 Regular fit of gout..gradually resolving, and leaving the constitution in its usual or improved health. 1898 P. Manson Trop. Diseases xxvii. 434 These drugs have undoubtedly the power of causing the eruption in yaws to resolve. |
d. Law. To lapse; to become void.
| 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 695 On his failure to pay within the time limited, the sale resolves, and the property..returns to the seller. |
e. Mus. To change from discord to harmony.
| 1889 Prout Harmony xiv. §332 All chords of the ninth can resolve upon their own generator. 1898 Stainer & Barrett Dict. Mus. Terms 310/2 The note on which the suspension resolves is not heard with the suspension. |
23. a. To come to a determination; to make up one's mind; to take a firm purpose or decision.
| 1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons Ded. 8 To know, how of himselfe..with valour to resolue and performe. 1597 Bacon Coulers Good & Evill Ess. (Arb.) 143 As he sayth well, Not to resolue, is to resolue, and many times it..ingageth as farre in some other sort as to resolue. 1622 Ford, etc. Witch of Edmonton i. i, Upon what certainty shall I resolve? 1667 Milton P.L. ix. 97 Thus he resolv'd, but first..His bursting passion into plaints thus pour'd. 1748 Thomson Cast. Indol. ii. lxii, Resolve! resolve! and to be men aspire! 1760–2 Goldsm. Cit. W. xxvi[i], So after resolving, and re-resolving, I had courage enough to tell her my mind. 1832 Austin Jurispr. (1879) I. xxi. 452 When such expressions as ‘resolving’ and ‘determining’ are applied to a present intention to do a future act. |
b. Const. with inf.
| 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) p. vi, I resolved (for sundrie iust respectes) to begin first with that Shire. 1588 Shakes. L.L.L. iv. iii. 371 Shall we resolue to woe these girles of France? 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage viii. iii. (1614) 744 He..committed many errours, especially in resoluing to winter in that desolate place. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. (Globe) 45, I resolv'd to hold fast by a Piece of the Rock. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 252 At one time he had resolved..to give way. |
c. With on or upon; also † of, † in.
| 1586 Marlowe 1st Pt. Tamburlaine ii. vi, Since..He dares so doubtlessly resolve of rule. 1606 Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iii. xi. 9, I haue my selfe resolu'd vpon a course, Which has no neede of you. 1659–60 Pepys Diary 23 Jan., This day the Parliament..resolved of the declaration to be printed for the people's satisfaction. a 1715 Burnet Own Time i. (1724) I. 36 The course they all resolved on was, that [etc.]. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia viii. iv, Cecilia..had still the..good sense..to resolve upon making the best use [etc.]. 1809 Susan II. 103 Mrs. Howard..immediately resolved in going with him. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola xx, The ceremony had been resolved upon rather suddenly. |
† d. To decide on setting out for a place. Obs.
| 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, ii. iii. 67, I will resolue for Scotland. a 1643 Cartwright Ordinary v. v, Let's swear Fidelity to one another, and So resolve for New England. 1734 tr. Rollin's Anc. Hist. xvii. vii. (1827) VII. 204 He resolved for Sicily which would open him a passage into Africa. 1760 Impostors Detected iv. iii. II. 189 We were obliged to separate, and every one take his chance... As for me I resolved for Lisbon. |
† 24. a. To be satisfied or convinced. Obs.
| 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. xx. 24 The Gouernor by the counsell of those that had perswaded him too surrender, resolued vppon so smal an assurance of the Bascha. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, i. ii. 91 Resolue on this, thou shalt be fortunate, If thou receiue me for thy Warlike Mate. 1598 B. Jonson Ev. Man. in Hum. i. v, Bob. For doe you see, sir,..I could not extend thus farre. Mat. O Lord, sir, I resolue so. 1659 Hammond On Ps. 610, I have allwayes, since I knew any thing of thee, resolved of the truth of it. |
† b. To consult, take counsel. Obs.
| 1591 Spenser M. Hubberd 123 It behoves, ere that into the race We enter, to resolve first hereupon. 1641 Hinde Life J. Bruen xviii. 56 He made them sometimes as his counsellours, to advise, conferre, consult, and resolve with them, in matters of conscience. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. (Globe) 260 Let us retreat out of their View or Hearing, least they awake, and we will resolve further. |