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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Resolutio(u)n(e, -solucio(u)n(e, n. Also: resollut-, -owt-, resolws-. [ME and e.m.E. resolucioun (Wyclif), -ution (Lydgate), OF resolucion, -tion (late 13th c. and c1460 in Larousse), L. resolūtiōn-, n. of action f. resolvere Resolve v.]

1. Of the body, limbs, etc.: A state of weakening or wasting. b. specif. A stroke, or similar form of paralysis. 1533 Bell. Livy I 184/34.
Quhen the membris … beleuit to haue dantit the wame with hunger thay brocht baith thame self and all the body to extreme resolucioun [L. tabem]
b. 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 62.
Johne Knox was stricken with a kynd of apoplexia called by the phisitiones resolutione whairby the perfect vse of his tovng was stopped
1580 Skeyne Descr. Well A 3.
It is gude also … for resolutioun of the body or ony pairt thairoff callit paralysis

2. ‘Resolution, in music, is when a canon or perpetual fugue is not written all on the same line or in one part; but all the voices that are to follow the guida, or first voice, are written separately.’ (Chamber's Cyclopædia, in OED). c1550-c1580 Art of Music 30.
Resolutione … is ane opnyng and furth schawin of obscwir cautionis be Canonis Institut. Quhilkis be way of resolution ar planlye resoluit

3. a. The solving of a doubt or difficulty; (a) solution. b. The act of making clear, by analysis, explanation or discussion; clarification.a. 1525 Douglas Corr. 101.
Gif I have nocht done my uter power to bring all materis … to ane gude and fynale resolucioune
1572 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxii.
A generall ordre which will serve for resolutioun of euery particular doubt
1639 Baillie I 237.b. 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 179 (G).
Illuminat with ȝour doctryne and accuregit with ȝour worthy resolutiones
1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV ii 56.
The resolution of these articles is so necessary … that we can no wys enter to the accusatioun … before we be fully answerit thairin
1558-66 Knox II 23.
Oure interpryse altogitther myslyked nott the Counsall, albeit that thei desyrit farther resolutioun of the principall Lordis
1582 Reg. Privy C. III 536.
[The safe conduct had been obtained, and directed to him] togidder with a resolution of the forme and tyme appointit for his departing
1600 Crim. Trials II 283.
Vith ane full resolucion of all my vill anent all purposes
1618 Sutherland Bk. II 136.
Efter resollowtioune with the towtour off Kentaill, … I ame resolffit to sell the landis

4. A formal decision, by an assembly or other meeting, of some outstanding question or problem.Also, publike resolutions, see also Resolutioner n.(1) 1551–2 Corr. M. Lorraine 357.
For I trest ther sal be na resolwsion tain qwhill than
1571 Bann. Memor. 211.
It is thocht resolutioune salbe tacken anent the sending out of ane armie
1579 Conv. Burghs I 81.
At this tyme na resolutioun can be had thairof, continewing alwayes the samyn to thair nixt conventioun
1638 Nat. Covenant in Facs. Nat. MSS III xcvii.
Nor shall [we] cast in any let or impediment that may stay or hinder any such resolution
1655 in Register of the Consultations of the Ministers of Edinburgh (S.H.S.) I 89.
Resolution of some brethren mett at Edinburgh concerning mentioning the king in their publick prayers
(2) 1657 in Register of the Consultations of the Ministers of Edinburgh (S.H.S.) I 301.
The next matter of our Church … divisions were the so much talked of publike resolutions of the Commission of the Generall Assemblie, returned in answer to two querees propounded to them by the King and Parliament

5. The, or an, act of determining or making up one's mind; a fixed determination; a firm purpose; a resolve or decision.(1) 1565 Facs. Nat. MSS III lvi.
I wes … desyrous … to have declared vnto yow the last resolution and ansuer I receaved of the quenis maiestie
1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots I 571.
It was necessare, that hir majestie tak heid to mak resolutioun thairin
1600 Crim. Trials II 232.
Their hart may fayle them, their resolution may waver [etc.]
1608 Calderwood VI 759.
Becaus that conscience is the onlie argument that moved me thus wise to protract tyme, till I have perfytter resolutioun [etc.]
1638 Hamilton P. (Camden Soc.) 6.
Resollution
1681 Stair Inst. i x § 2.
Resolution … is a determinate purpose to do that which is desired. … So it was found that a resolution … did infer no obligation
(2) 1669 Sel. Biog. I 139.
This so discouraged me, that I was upon resolution … not to preach
(3) 1665 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I 47.
I have alterid my resolution of this riben therfor I desire yow tak it bak

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"Resolution n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 29 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/resolutioune>

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