Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

                The unraveling and resolution of the
                difficulties that are met with in the execution
                of the design are the end of an action.
                                                  --Dryden.

   2. The state of being relaxed; relaxation. [Obs.]

   3. The state of being resolved, settled, or determined;
      firmness; steadiness; constancy; determination.

            Be it with resolution then to fight.  --Shak.

   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.

   5. The state of being resolved or firm in opinion or thought;
      conviction; assurance. [Obs.]

            Little resolution and certainty there is as touching
            the islands of Mauritania.            --Holland.

   6. (Math.) The act or process of solving; solution; as, the
      resolution of an equation or problem.

   7. (Med.) A breaking up, disappearance; or termination, as of
      a fever, a tumor, or the like.

   8. (Mus.) The passing of a dissonant into a consonant chord
      by the rising or falling of the note which makes the
      discord.

   {Joint resolution}. See under {Joint}, a.

   {Resolution of a force} or {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.

   Syn: Decision; analysis; separation; disentanglement;
        dissolution; resolvedness; resoluteness; firmness;
        constancy; perseverance; steadfastness; fortitude;
        boldness; purpose; resolve. See {Decision}.