- To resolve a nebula
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew! --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Ye immortal souls, who once were men, And now resolved to elements again. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
To the resolving whereof we must first know that the Jews were commanded to divorce an unbelieving Gentile. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. 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. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
Resolve me, Reason, which of these is worse, Want with a full, or with an empty purse? --Pope. [1913 Webster]
In health, good air, pleasure, riches, I am resolved it can not be equaled by any region. --Sir W. Raleigh. [1913 Webster]
We must be resolved how the law can be pure and perspicuous, and yet throw a polluted skirt over these Eleusinian mysteries. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
4. 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]
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). [1913 Webster]
6. 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]
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. [1913 Webster]
8. (Med.) To dispere or scatter; to discuss, as an inflammation or a tumor. [1913 Webster]
9. (Mus.) To let the tones (as of a discord) follow their several tendencies, resulting in a concord. [1913 Webster]
10. To relax; to lay at ease. [Obs.] --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
{To resolve a nebula}.(Astron.) See {Resolution of a nebula}, under {Resolution}. [1913 Webster]
Syn: To solve; analyze; unravel; disentangle. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
