Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            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.