resolutio

Resolutio is a Latin noun meaning the act or result of resolving: a determination, decision, or solution. In classical and medieval Latin it appears in legal, philosophical, rhetorical, and mathematical contexts to denote the conclusion of a question, the outcome of reasoning, or the solution to a problem.

Etymology and related forms

The term is formed from the verb resolvere, meaning to loosen or to solve, with the abstract suffix -tio. Related forms include resolutus (resolved) and solutio (a solution), reflecting its core sense of bringing something to a conclusion or answer.

Usage and sense

In Latin texts resolutio conveys a formal decision or settlement, whether in law, governance, or scholarly argument. The word also appears in scholastic and scientific writings to indicate the resolution of a problem or the determination of a result. In modern languages, cognate terms derive from resolutio: English resolution, French résolution, Italian risoluzione, Spanish resolución, and Portuguese resolução, all carrying a similar range of meanings from decision to solution.

Morphology

In Latin, resolutio is feminine and belongs to the third declension. Typical forms include: nominative resolutio, genitive resolutionis, dative resolutioni, accusative resolutionem, ablative resolutione. Plural forms are resolutiones (nominative), resolutionum (genitive), resolutionibus (dative/ablative), and resolutiones (accusative).

Modern relevance

Today, resolutio is primarily of historical or linguistic interest. The common English term is resolution, used across law, science, and everyday language. In Latin scholarship, resolutio appears in discussions of how ancient authors expressed decisions, conclusions, or solutions.