from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Resolution \Res`o*lu"tion\ (-l?"sh?n), n. [F. r['e]solution. L.
resolutio a loosening, solution. See {Resolve}.]
1. The act, operation, or process of resolving. Specifically:
(a) The act of separating a compound into its elements or
component parts.
(b) The act of analyzing a complex notion, or solving a
vexed question or difficult problem.
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The unraveling and resolution of the
difficulties that are met with in the execution
of the design are the end of an action.
--Dryden.
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2. The state of being relaxed; relaxation. [Obs.]
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3. The state of being resolved, settled, or determined;
firmness; steadiness; constancy; determination.
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Be it with resolution then to fight. --Shak.
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4. That which is resolved or determined; a settled purpose;
determination. Specifically: A formal expression of the
opinion or will of an official body or a public assembly,
adopted by vote; as, a legislative resolution; the
resolutions of a public meeting.
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5. The state of being resolved or firm in opinion or thought;
conviction; assurance. [Obs.]
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Little resolution and certainty there is as touching
the islands of Mauritania. --Holland.
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6. (Math.) The act or process of solving; solution; as, the
resolution of an equation or problem.
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7. (Med.) A breaking up, disappearance; or termination, as of
a fever, a tumor, or the like.
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8. (Mus.) The passing of a dissonant into a consonant chord
by the rising or falling of the note which makes the
discord.
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9. (Technical) The act of distinguishing between two close
but not identical objects, or, when taking a measurement,
bbetween two close values of the property measured.
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10. (Technical) a measure of the ability to distinguish
between two close but not identical values of the
property being measured; it is expressed as the
difference in values of a property necessary to make such
a distinction; as, a microscope with a resolution of one
micron; a thermometer with a resolution of one-tenth of a
degree. Also called {resolving power}.
[PJC]
{Joint resolution}. See under {Joint}, a.
{Resolution of a force} or {Resolution of a motion} (Mech.),
the separation of a single force or motion into two or
more which have different directions, and, taken together,
are an equivalent for the single one; -- the opposite of
{composition of a force}.
{Resolution of a nebula} (Astron.), the exhibition of it to
the eye by a telescope of such power as to show it to be
composed of small stars.
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Syn: Decision; analysis; separation; disentanglement;
dissolution; resolvedness; resoluteness; firmness;
constancy; perseverance; steadfastness; fortitude;
boldness; purpose; resolve. See {Decision}.
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