Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

resolved

[ri-zolvd]
See more synonyms for resolved on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. firm in purpose or intent; determined.
Show More

Origin of resolved

First recorded in 1490–1500; resolve + -ed2
Related formsre·solv·ed·ly [ri-zol-vid-lee] /rɪˈzɒl vɪd li/, adverbre·solv·ed·ness, nounun·re·solved, adjectivewell-re·solved, adjective

resolve

[ri-zolv]
verb (used with object), re·solved, re·solv·ing.
  1. to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full.
  2. to separate into constituent or elementary parts; break up; cause or disintegrate (usually followed by into).
  3. to reduce or convert by, or as by, breaking up or disintegration (usually followed by to or into).
  4. to convert or transform by any process (often used reflexively).
  5. to reduce by mental analysis (often followed by into).
  6. to settle, determine, or state in a formal vote or formal expression of opinion or intention, as of a deliberative assembly.
  7. to deal with (a question, a matter of uncertainty, etc.) conclusively; settle; solve: to resolve the question before the board.
  8. to clear away or dispel (doubts, fears, etc.); answer: to resolve any doubts we may have had.
  9. Chemistry. to separate (a racemic mixture) into optically active components.
  10. Music. to cause (a voice part or the harmony as a whole) to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.
  11. Optics. to separate and make visible the individual parts of (an image); distinguish between.
  12. Medicine/Medical. to cause (swellings, inflammation, etc.) to disappear without suppuration.
Show More
verb (used without object), re·solved, re·solv·ing.
  1. to come to a determination; make up one's mind; determine (often followed by on or upon): to resolve on a plan of action.
  2. to break up or disintegrate.
  3. to be reduced or changed by breaking up or otherwise (usually followed by to or into).
  4. Music. to progress from a dissonance to a consonance.
Show More
noun
  1. a resolution or determination made, as to follow some course of action.
  2. firmness of purpose or intent; determination.
Show More

Origin of resolve

1325–75; Middle English resolven (v.) < Latin resolvere to unfasten, loosen, release, equivalent to re- re- + solvere to loosen; see solve
Related formsre·solv·er, nounpre·re·solve, verb, pre·re·solved, pre·re·solv·ing.un·re·solv·ing, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
1. confirm. 2. analyze, reduce. 17, 18. decision.

Synonym study

1. See decide.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

fixdetermineconcludeproposesettlesolveundertakedecideansweragreelickelectfigureclinchdesignuntangledecreefathomunravelchoose

Examples from the Web for resolved

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • He resolved to listen with good grace to any homilies that might issue.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • And so she had resolved upon surrender—upon an outward surrender.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • He resolved at once to seek her and give his love freedom to tell itself.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • He was not timid, however, and resolved to broach the subject.

    Brave and Bold

    Horatio Alger

  • He resolved to be as prudent as possible, and avoid, as far as he could, any altercation with Haley.

    Brave and Bold

    Horatio Alger

British Dictionary definitions for resolved

resolved

adjective
  1. fixed in purpose or intention; determined
Show More
Derived Formsresolvedly (rɪˈzɒlvɪdlɪ), adverbresolvedness, noun

resolve

verb (mainly tr)
  1. (takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to decide or determine firmly
  2. to express (an opinion) formally, esp (of a public meeting) one agreed by a vote
  3. (also intr usually foll by into) to separate or cause to separate (into) (constituent parts or elements)
  4. (usually reflexive) to change, alter, or appear to change or alterthe ghost resolved itself into a tree
  5. to make up the mind of; cause to decidethe tempest resolved him to stay at home
  6. to find the answer or solution to; solveto resolve a problem
  7. to explain away or dispelto resolve a doubt
  8. to bring to an end; concludeto resolve an argument
  9. med to cause (a swelling or inflammation) to subside, esp without the formation of pus
  10. (also intr) to follow (a dissonant note or chord) or (of a dissonant note or chord) to be followed by one producing a consonance
  11. chem to separate (a racemic mixture) into its optically active constituents
  12. physics
    1. to distinguish between (separate parts) of (an image) as in a microscope, telescope, or other optical instrument
    2. to separate (two adjacent peaks) in a spectrum by means of a spectrometer
  13. maths to split (a vector) into its components in specified directions
  14. an obsolete word for dissolve
Show More
noun
  1. something determined or decided; resolutionhe had made a resolve to work all day
  2. firmness of purpose; determinationnothing can break his resolve
Show More
Derived Formsresolver, noun

Word Origin

C14: from Latin resolvere to unfasten, reveal, from re- + solvere to loosen; see solve
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for resolved

adj.

"determined," 1520s, past participle adjective from resolve (v.). Related: Resolvedly.

Show More

resolve

v.

late 14c., "melt, dissolve, reduce to liquid;" intransitive sense from c.1400; from Old French resolver or directly from Latin resolvere "to loosen, loose, unyoke, undo; explain; relax; set free; make void, dispel," from re-, perhaps intensive, or "back" (see re-), + solvere "loosen" (see solve). Early 15c. as "separate into components," hence the use in optics (1785). Meaning "determine, decide upon" is from 1520s, hence "pass a resolution" (1580s). For sense evolution, cf. resolute (adj.). Related: Resolved; resolving.

Show More

resolve

n.

"determination, firmness or fixedness of purpose; a determination," 1590s, from resolve (v.).

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
resolved in Medicine

resolve

(rĭ-zŏlv′)
v.
  1. To cause resolution of an abnormal condition.
  2. To separate an optically inactive compound or mixture into its optically active constituents.
  3. To render parts of an image visible and distinct.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.