Resolution /(-l?"sh?n)/

Res·o·lu·tion

Resolution

n.
  1. The act, operation, or process of resolving.
    The unraveling and resolution of the difficulties that are met with in the execution of the design are the end of an action.
  2. The state of being relaxed; relaxation. [Obs.]
  3. The state of being resolved, settled, or determined; firmness; steadiness; constancy; determination.
    Be it with resolution then to fight.
  4. That which is resolved or determined; a settled purpose; determination. Specifically: A formal expression of the opinion or will of an official body or a public assembly, adopted by vote; as, a legislative resolution; the resolutions of a public meeting.
  5. The state of being resolved or firm in opinion or thought; conviction; assurance. [Obs.]
    Little resolution and certainty there is as touching the islands of Mauritania.
  6. The act or process of solving; solution; as, the resolution of an equation or problem. (Math.)
  7. A breaking up, disappearance; or termination, as of a fever, a tumor, or the like. (Med.)
  8. The passing of a dissonant into a consonant chord by the rising or falling of the note which makes the discord. (Mus.)
  9. The act of distinguishing between two close but not identical objects, or, when taking a measurement, bbetween two close values of the property measured. (Technical)
  10. a measure of the ability to distinguish between two close but not identical values of the property being measured; it is expressed as the difference in values of a property necessary to make such a distinction; as, a microscope with a resolution of one micron; a thermometer with a resolution of one-tenth of a degree. Also called resolving power. (Technical)

Phrases & Compounds
Joint resolution
See under Joint, a.
Resolution of a force
the separation of a single force or motion into two or more which have different directions, and, taken together, are an equivalent for the single one; -- the opposite of composition of a force.
Resolution of a nebula
the exhibition of it to the eye by a telescope of such power as to show it to be composed of small stars.