The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Resolve \Re*solve"\ (r?*z?lv"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Resolved
   (-z?lvd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Resolving.] [L. resolvere,
   resolutum, to untie, loosen, relax, enfeeble; pref. re- re- +
   solvere to loosen, dissolve: cf. F. r['e]soudare to resolve.
   See Solve, and cf. Resolve, v. i., Resolute,
   Resolution.]
   1. To separate the component parts of; to reduce to the
      constituent elements; -- said of compound substances;
      hence, sometimes, to melt, or dissolve.
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            O, that this too too solid flesh would melt,
            Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!  --Shak.
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            Ye immortal souls, who once were men,
            And now resolved to elements again.   --Dryden.
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   2. To reduce to simple or intelligible notions; -- said of
      complex ideas or obscure questions; to make clear or
      certain; to free from doubt; to disentangle; to unravel;
      to explain; hence, to clear up, or dispel, as doubt; as,
      to resolve a riddle. "Resolve my doubt." --Shak.
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            To the resolving whereof we must first know that the
            Jews were commanded to divorce an unbelieving
            Gentile.                              --Milton.
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   3. To cause to perceive or understand; to acquaint; to
      inform; to convince; to assure; to make certain.
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            Sir, be resolved. I must and will come. --Beau. &
                                                  Fl.
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            Resolve me, Reason, which of these is worse,
            Want with a full, or with an empty purse? --Pope.
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            In health, good air, pleasure, riches, I am resolved
            it can not be equaled by any region.  --Sir W.
                                                  Raleigh.
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            We must be resolved how the law can be pure and
            perspicuous, and yet throw a polluted skirt over
            these Eleusinian mysteries.           --Milton.
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   4. To determine or decide in purpose; to make ready in mind;
      to fix; to settle; as, he was resolved by an unexpected
      event.
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   5. To express, as an opinion or determination, by resolution
      and vote; to declare or decide by a formal vote; --
      followed by a clause; as, the house resolved (or, it was
      resolved by the house) that no money should be apropriated
      (or, to appropriate no money).
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   6. To change or convert by resolution or formal vote; -- used
      only reflexively; as, the house resolved itself into a
      committee of the whole.
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   7. (Math.) To solve, as a problem, by enumerating the several
      things to be done, in order to obtain what is required; to
      find the answer to, or the result of. --Hutton.
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   8. (Med.) To dispere or scatter; to discuss, as an
      inflammation or a tumor.
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   9. (Mus.) To let the tones (as of a discord) follow their
      several tendencies, resulting in a concord.
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   10. To relax; to lay at ease. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
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   To resolve a nebula.(Astron.) See Resolution of a nebula,
      under Resolution.
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   Syn: To solve; analyze; unravel; disentangle.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Resolve \Re*solve"\, n.
   1. The act of resolving or making clear; resolution;
      solution. "To give a full resolve of that which is so much
      controverted." --Milton.
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   2. That which has been resolved on or determined; decisive
      conclusion; fixed purpose; determination; also, legal or
      official determination; a legislative declaration; a
      resolution.
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            Nor is your firm resolve unknown.     --Shak.
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            Caesar's approach has summoned us together,
            And Rome attends her fate from our resolves.
                                                  --Addison.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Resolve \Re*solve"\ (r?-z?lv"), v. i. [The sense "to be
   convinced, to determine" comes from the idea of loosening,
   breaking up into parts, analyzing, hence, determining.]
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   1. To be separated into its component parts or distinct
      principles; to undergo resolution.
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   2. To melt; to dissolve; to become fluid.
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            When the blood stagnates in any part, it first
            coagulates, then resolves, and turns alkaline.
                                                  --Arbuthhnot.
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   3. To be settled in opinion; to be convinced. [R.]
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            Let men resolve of that as they plaease. --Locke.
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   4. To form a purpose; to make a decision; especially, to
      determine after reflection; as, to resolve on a better
      course of life.
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   Syn: To determine; decide; conclude; purpose.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

resolve
    n 1: the trait of being resolute; "his resoluteness carried him
         through the battle"; "it was his unshakeable resolution to
         finish the work" [syn: resoluteness, firmness,
         firmness of purpose, resolve, resolution] [ant:
         irresoluteness, irresolution]
    2: a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote [syn:
       resolution, declaration, resolve]
    v 1: bring to an end; settle conclusively; "The case was
         decided"; "The judge decided the case in favor of the
         plaintiff"; "The father adjudicated when the sons were
         quarreling over their inheritance" [syn: decide,
         settle, resolve, adjudicate]
    2: reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation [syn:
       conclude, resolve]
    3: reach a decision; "he resolved never to drink again" [syn:
       purpose, resolve]
    4: understand the meaning of; "The question concerning the
       meaning of life cannot be answered" [syn: answer,
       resolve]
    5: make clearly visible; "can this image be resolved?"
    6: find the solution; "solve an equation"; "solve for x" [syn:
       resolve, solve]
    7: cause to go into a solution; "The recipe says that we should
       dissolve a cup of sugar in two cups of water" [syn:
       dissolve, resolve, break up]