risoluto

Risoluto is an Italian adjective meaning resolute or determined. In English, it is commonly translated as resolute and is used to describe a person’s character, a decision, or an approach that is firm, unwavering, and purposeful. The term can also appear in descriptive phrases such as a “risoluto stile” or a “risoluto atteggiamento” in both formal and informal contexts.

Etymology and related forms: Risoluto derives from the Italian verb risolvere, meaning to resolve or to solve, with the suffix -uto forming adjectives that indicate a resultant state. The root traces back to Latin resolutus, the past participle of resolvere, meaning to loosen, to set free, or to resolve. Over time, the sense shifted toward firmness and decisiveness in modern Italian.

Usage: In everyday language, risoluto describes people who act with determination and confidence, e.g., a risoluto leader or a risoluta decision. It can modify actions, plans, or outlooks to convey steadfastness. In journalism and literature, the term often emphasizes resolve in the face of obstacles and is used to convey a strong, unyielding stance.

Music usage: In musical notation, risoluto is an expressive marking that instructs performers to render a passage with resolve and decisive character. It is less a tempo indication than a mood directive, frequently appearing alongside other markings to shape style and articulation, particularly in Romantic and later works.

See also: synonyms include deciso and determinato; antonyms include indeciso and incerto.