resolution 
stituted for a long: as, the dactyl ( ~ ~) or 
anapest (~ <* ) is a resolution of the spondee 
( ) The resolution of a syllable bearing the ictus 
takes its ictus on the tlrst of the two shorts representing 
the long (^^^tor ^.^-i^ for ~ -^). Opposed to contrac- 
tion Joint resolution, in Amer. parliamentary law, a 
resolution adopted by both branches of a legislative assem- 
bly. See concurrent resolution, under concurrent. Res- 
olution of forces or of velocities, the application of the 
principle of the parallelogram of forces or velocities to the 
mathematical separation of a force or velocity into parts, 
which, however, need have no independent reality. See 
force*, 8(0). The Expunging Resolution. See expunge. 
Virginia and KentuckyResolutlons, in U. S. hint., 
resolutions passed in 179S and 1799 by the legislatures of 
Virginia and Kentucky, declaring the passage of the Alien 
and Sedition Acts to be an unconstitutional act of the fed- 
eral government, and setting forth the States' rights the- 
ory as to the proper remedies in such cases. The Virginia 
Resolutions were prepared by Madison, and the Kentucky 
Resolutions of 1798 by Jefferson. The Kentucky Resolu- 
tions of 1799, in addition to declaring the Constitution a 
compact, affirmed the right of a State to nullify any Act 
of Congress which it deemed unconstitutional. = Syn. 1. 
Decomposition, separation, disentanglement 4. Deter- 
mination, etc. (see decision), perseverance, tenacity, in- 
flexibility, fortitude, boldness, courage, resolve. 
Resolutioner (rez-o-lu'shon-er), n. One of a 
party in the Church of Scotland, in the seven- 
teenth century, which approved the resolutions 
of the General Assembly admitting all except 
those of bad character, or hostile to the Cove- 
nant, to bear arms against Cromwell. See the 
quotation under Protester, 3. 
The church was, however, divided into two utterly an- 
tagonistic parties, the Resolutioners&nA the Remonstrants. 
J. H, Burton, Hist Scotland, I. 194. 
revolutionist (rez-o-lu'sbon-ist), n. [< resolu- 
tion + -ist.] One who makes a resolution. 
Quarterly Sev. (Imp. Diet.) 
resqlutive (rez'o-lu-tiv), a. and n. [= F. reso- 
lutif = Sp. Pg. resolutii'o = It. risolutivo, reso- 
lutivo; as resolute + -ive,] I. a. Having the 
power to dissolve or relax. [Rare.] 
The ashes of the void [snail | shels ... are of a resolu- 
tive and discutient facultie. Holland, tr. of Pliny, xxx. 8. 
Resolutive clause or condition, in Scots law, a condi- 
tion subsequent ; a condition inserted in a deed or other 
contract, a breach of which will cause a forfeiture or ces- 
sation of that which is provided for by the instrument, as 
distinguished from a suspensive condition, or condition 
precedent, which prevents the instrument from taking 
effect until the condition has been performed. Reso- 
lutive method, in logic, the analytic method. See an- 
alytic. 
H, n. In med., same as discutient. 
It has been recommended to establish a seton ... as 
a derivative and resolutive [in metritisj. 
R. Barnes, Dis. of Women, xl. 
resolutory (rez'o-lu-to-ri), a. [= F. resolutoire 
= Sp. Pg. It. resolutorio, < L. as if "resolutorius, 
< resolvere, pp. resolutus, loose, loosen: see re- 
solve.'] Having the effect of resolving, deter- 
mining, or rescinding; giving a right to re- 
scind. 
resolvability (re-zol-va-bil'i-ti), n. [< resolva- 
ble + -ity (see -bility).] The property of being 
resolvable ; the capability of being separated 
into parts ; resolvableness. 
Lord Rosse was able to get the suggestion of resotnabH- 
ity in . . . many bodies which had been classed as nebula- 
by Sir William Herschel and others. 
J. S. Lockyer, Harper's Mag., LXXVIII. 589. 
resolvable (re-zol'va-bl), a. [< resolve + -able. 
Cf. resoluble.] Capable of being resolved, in 
any sense of that word Resolvable nebula. See 
nebula. 
resolvableness (re-zol'va-bl-nes), n. The prop- 
erty of being resolvable fresolvability. Bailey, 
1727. 
resolve (re-zolv'), "; pret. and pp. resolved, 
ppr. resolving. [< ME. resolren, < OF. resolver, 
vernacularly resoudre, F. resondre = Sp. Pg. 
resolver = It. risolvere, resolvere, < L. resolvere, 
pp. resolutus, loosen, resolve, dissolve, melt, 
thaw, < re-, again, + solvere, loosen: see solve.] 
1. trans. If. To loosen; set loose or at ease; 
relax. 
It is a very hard work of continence to repell the paynt- 
Ing glose of Batterings whose words resolue the hart with 
pleasure. Baoees Book (E. E. T. &.), p. 106. 
His limbs, resolv'd through idle leisour, 
Unto sweete sleepe he may securely lend. 
Spenser, Virgil's Gnat, 1. 141. 
Cat. The city's custom 
Of being then in mirth and feast 
Lem. Loosed whole 
In pleasure and security 
Aut. Each house 
Resolved in freedom. B. Jonson, Catiline, ill. 3. 
2. To melt; dissolve. 
The weyghte of the snowe yharded by the colde is re- 
solved by the brennynge hete of Phebus the sonne. 
Chaucer, Boethius, iv. prose 6. 
I could be content to resolve myself into teares, to rid 
thee of trouble. Lyly, Euphues, p. 38. (Narei.) 
5106 
O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, 
Thaw, and resolve itself Into a dew ! 
Shale., Hamlet, 1. 2. 180. 
3. To disintegrate; reduce to constituent or 
elementary parts; separate the component 
parts of. 
The see gravel is lattest for to drie, 
And lattest may thon therwith edlne. 
The salt in it thy werkes wol resolve. 
Pattadius, Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 14. 
And ye, immortal souls, who once were men, 
And now, resolved to elements again. 
Dryden, Indian Emperor, U. 1. 
It is no necessity of his [the musician's) art to resolve 
the clang of an instrument into its constituent tones. 
Tyndatt, Sound, p. 120. 
Specifically 4. In med., to effect the disap- 
pearance of (a swelling) without the forma- 
tion of pus. 5. To analyze ; reduce by mental 
analysis. 
I cannot think that the branded Epicurus, Lucretius, 
and their fellows were in earnest when they resolv'd this 
composition into a fortuitous range of atoms. 
Glanville, Essays, i. 
Retaining all events, with their effects 
And manifold results, into the will 
And arbitration wise of the Supreme. 
Cowper, Task, U. 163. 
They tell us that on the hypothesis of evolution all hu- 
man feelings may be resolved into a desire for food, into a 
fear of being eaten, or into the reproductive Instinct. 
Mivart, Nature and Thought, p. 128. 
6. To solve ; free from perplexities ; clear of 
difficulties ; explain : as, to resolve questions of 
casuistry ; to resolve doubts ; to resolve a riddle. 
After their publike praiers the Talby sits downe, and 
spends half e an houre In revolving the doubts of such as 
shall moue any questions in matters of their Law. 
Pvrchas, Pilgrimage, p. 623. 
Here were also several foundations of Buildings, but 
whether there were ever any place of note situated here- 
abouts, or what it might be. I cannot resolve. 
Maundrcll, Aleppo to Jerusalem, p. 12. 
I ask these sober questions of my heart ; . . . 
The heart resolves this matter in a trice. 
Pope, Irnit. of Horace, II. ii. 216. 
7. In math., to solve; answer (a question). 
8. In alg., to bring all the known quantities 
of (an equation) to one side, and the unknown 
quantity to the other. 9. In mech., to separate 
mathematically (a force or other vector quan- 
tity) into components, by the application of 
the parallelogram of forces, or of an analogous 
principle. The parts need not have indepen- 
dent reality. 10. To transform by or as by 
dissolution. 
The form of going from the assembly into committee is 
for the presiding officer ... to put the question that the 
assembly do now resolve itself into a committee of the 
whole. Gushing, Manual of Parliamentary Practice, 297. 
lit. To free from doubt or perplexity; inform; 
acquaint; answer. 
If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony 
May safely come to him, and be resolved 
How Cesar hath deserved to lie in death. 
Shale., J. C., ill. 1. 181. 
Pray, sir, resolve me, what religion 's best 
For a man to die in ? Webster, White Devil, v. 1. 
You shall be fully resolved in every one of those many 
questions you have asked me. 
Goldsmith, To Mrs. Anne Goldsmith. 
12f. To settle in an opinion; make certain; 
convince. 
The word of God can give us assurance in anything we 
are to do, and resolve us that we do well. 
Hooker, Eccles. Polity, ii. 4. 
Long since we were resolved of your truth, 
Your faithful service, and your toil in war. 
Shak., 1 Hen. VI., Hi. 4. 20. 
I am resolv'd my Cloe yet is true. 
Fletcher, Faithful Shepherdess, ii. 4. 
13. To fix in a determination or purpose; de- 
termine ; decide : used chiefly in the past par- 
ticiple. 
Therefore at last I firmly am resolved 
You shall have aid. Shak., 3 Hen. VI., iii. 3. 219. 
Rather by this his last affront resolved, 
Desperate of better course, to vent his rage. 
Milton, P. R., iv. 444. 
With phrenzy seized, I run to meet the alarms, 
Resolved on death, resolved to die in arms. 
Dryden, ^Eneid, ii. 424. 
14. To determine on ; intend; purpose. 
I am resolved that thou shalt spend some time 
With Valentinus in the emperor's court. 
Shak.,1. G. of V., 1.3.66. 
They [the Longobards] resolved to goe into some more 
fertile country. Coryat, Crudities, I. 107. 
War then, war, 
Open or understood, must be resolved. 
Milton, P. L., i. 662. 
15t. To make ready in mind; prepare. 
Quit presently the chapel, or resolve you 
For more amazement. Shak., W. T., v. 3. 86. 
resolvedness 
Tell me, have you resolv'd yourself for court, 
And utterly renounc'd the slavish country 
With all the cares thereof? 
Fletcher (and another), Noble Gentleman, Iv. 4. 
16. To determine on; specifically, to express, 
as an opinion or determination, by or as by 
resolution and vote. 
He loses no reputation with us ; for we all resolved him 
as an ass before. B. Jonson, Epicoene, iv. 2. 
17. In music,'of a voice-part or of the harmony 
in general, to cause to progress from a discord 
to a concord. 
II. intrans. It. To melt ; 'dissolve ; become 
fluid. 
Even as a form of wax 
Resolveth from his figure 'gainst the fire. 
Shak., K. John, v. 4. 25. 
May my brain 
Resolue to water, and my blood turn phlegm. 
B. Jonson, Catiline, 111. S. 
2. To become separated into component or 
elementary parts; disintegrate; in general, to 
be reduced as by dissolution or analysis. 
The spices are so corrupted . . . that theyr natural 1 
sauour, taste, and quality . . . vanyssheth and resolueth. 
R. Eden, tr. of Paolo Giovlo (First Books on America, 
(ed. Arber, p. 309). 
Subterraneous bodies, from whence all the things upon 
the earth's surface spring, and into which they again re- 
solve and return. Bacon, Physical Fables, xi., ExpL 
These several quarterly meetings should digest the re- 
ports of their monthly meetings, and prepare one for 
each respectlveconnty, against the yearly meeting, in which 
all quarterly meetings resolve. 
Penn, Rise and Progress of Quakers, iv. 
I lifted up ray head to look : the roof resolved to clouds, 
high and dim ; the gleam was such as the moon imparts 
to vapors she 1s about to sever. 
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, xxvii. 
3. To form an opinion, purpose, or resolution ; 
determine in mind ; purpose : as, he resolved on 
amendment of life. 
How yet resolves the governor of the town ? 
Shak., Hen. V., 111. 3. 1. 
4. To be settled in opinion; be convinced. 
Let men molrc of that as they please. Locke. 
5. In mtisic, of a voice-part or of the harmony 
in general, to pass from a discord to a concora. 
= Syn. 3. To decide, conclude. 
resolve (re-zplv'), n. [< resolve, v.~\ It. The 
act of resolving or solving ; resolution ; solu- 
tion. Milton. 2t. An answer. 
I crave but ten short days to give resolve 
To this important suit, in which consists 
My endless shame or lasting happiness. 
Beau, and Fl. (?), Faithful Friends, U. 2. 
3. That which has been resolved or determined 
on ; a resolution. 
Now, sister, let us hear your firm resolve. 
Shak., 3 Hen. VI., iii. 3. 129. 
Tis thus 
Men cast the blame of their nnprosperous acts 
Upon the abettors of their own resolve. 
Shelley, The Cenci, v. 1. 
4. Firmness or fixedness of purpose ; resolu- 
tion; determination. 
A lady of so high resolve 
As is fair Margaret. 
Shak., 1 Hen. VI., v. 5. 75. 
Come, firm Resolve, take thon the van, 
Thou stalk o' carl-hemp in man ! 
Burns, To Dr. Blacklock. 
5. The determination or declaration of any cor- 
poration, association, or representative body; 
a resolution. 
I then commenced my career as a political writer, de- 
voting weeks and months to support the resolves of Con- 
gress. 
Noah Webster, Letter, 1783 (Life, by Scudder, p. 112). 
Peace resolves. See peace. 
resolved (re-zolvd'), j>. a. Determined; reso- 
lute; firm. 
How now, my hardy, stout resolved mates ! 
Are you now going to dispatch this deed ? 
5Ao*., Rich, III., 1. 3. 340. 
resolvedly (rf-zol'ved-li), adv. 1. In a re- 
solved manner ; firmly ; resolutely ; with firm- 
ness of purpose. 
Let us chearfully and resolvedly apply ourselves to the 
working out our salvation. Abp. Sharp, Sermons, II. v. 
2. In such a manner as to resolve or clear 
up all doubts and difficulties; satisfactorily. 
[Rare.] 
Of that and all the progress, more or less, 
Resolvedly more leisure shall express. 
Shak., All's Well, v. 3. 332. 
He that hath rightly and resolvedly determined of his 
end hath virtually resolved a thousand controversies that 
others are unsatisfied and erroneous in. 
Baxter, Divine Lile, ii. 6. 
resolvedness (re-zol'ved-nes), . Fixedness 
of purpose ; firmness ; resolution. 
