resolution English · revision 4367

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1382|origins=la resolvere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|resolucioun]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|resolution]] (14th century),^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) and directly from [[la|resolūtiō|alt=resolutionem|t=a reducing of things into simpler forms]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) a noun of action from the past participle stem of resolvere “to loosen, release”,^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) the source of [[resolve]].^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Dissolution, a breaking up into parts: 1382 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In medicine it meant the dispersal of humours or morbid matter, from 1398,^(OED 1989) and later the subsiding of a disease, from 1777.^(HTOED) From the reducing of something non-material into simpler forms came, as a way of solving problems, “a solving”, of mathematical problems from 1579,^(HTOED) by the 1540s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) In the mid-15th century it also meant a frame of mind, often a pious or moral determination,^(Etymonline) and determination, firmness of purpose, is from 1594 in the Historical Thesaurus,^(HTOED) the 1580s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) A formal decision of a deliberative assembly is from 1545,^(HTOED) about 1600 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) In music, the passing of a discord into a concord is from 1721.^(HTOED) The power of an optical instrument to make separate parts distinguishable is from 1831,^(HTOED) by 1860 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and the climax or denouement of a story from 1846.^(HTOED) The ''New Year's resolution'' is from at least the 1780s, and through the 19th century such resolutions were usually pious.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1382 – dissolution.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1398 – in medicine.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-15th century – a frame of mind.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1545 – a formal decision of an assembly.^(HTOED)

+ * 1579 – solving a problem.^(HTOED)

+ * 1594 – firmness of purpose.^(HTOED)

+ * 1721 – in music.^(HTOED)

+ * 1780s – ''New Year's resolution''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1831 – optical resolution.^(HTOED)

+ * 1846 – the resolution of a plot.^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Firm [[determination]]; the quality of being resolute.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A decision to do something: ''a New Year's resolution''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A formal statement of a decision or opinion adopted by an assembly.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The act of solving or settling a problem or dispute; a [[solution]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The fineness of detail an optical instrument, screen or image can show.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(music)'' The passing of a discord into a concord.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The breaking up of something into its parts.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[high-resolution]]

+ * [[low-resolution]]

+ * [[irresolution]]

+ * [[continuing resolution]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[irresoluble]]

+ * [[irresolute]]

+ * [[irresolvable]]

+ * [[resoluble]]

+ * [[resolvable]]

+ * [[resolvent]]

+ * [[resolve]]

+ * [[resolute]]

+ * [[solution]]

+ * [[dissolve]]

+ * [[absolve]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}