resolving power

American  

noun

1. Optics. the ability of an optical device to produce separate images of close objects.

2. Photography. the degree to which a lens or photographic emulsion is able to define the details of an image.

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resolving power British  

noun

1. Also called: resolution.  physics

   1. the ability of a microscope, telescope, or other optical instrument to produce separate images of closely placed objects

   2. the ability of a spectrometer to separate two adjacent peaks in a spectrum

2. photog the ability of an emulsion to show up fine detail in an image

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Etymology

Origin of resolving power

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Hammer Projects: Pedro Reyes, at the Hammer Museum. The socially minded Reyes has staged a people’s United Nations that employs techniques from theater games and group therapy as way of resolving urgent issues.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2015

Over the course of his show, he will stage a people’s United Nations that will employ techniques from theater games and group therapy as way of resolving urgent issues.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2015