résolving

Résolving is the act or process of finding a solution to a problem, making a decision, or ending a dispute. In general use, it is the present participle of resolve and appears in contexts ranging from everyday problem solving to formal procedures in law and science. The accent on é is common in French, where the cognate verb résoudre has related forms, but English usage commonly writes resolving without an accent.

In science and engineering, resolving power describes an instrument's ability to distinguish closely spaced features; to resolve components in a mixture means to separate them chemically or physically. In signal processing, resolving refers to distinguishing two overlapping signals. In microscopy and spectroscopy, resolution is a related but distinct concept; resolving a spectrum means identifying individual lines or peaks.

In computing and networking, name resolution is the process by which a host name is translated into a numerical address, enabling network communication. Software resolvers or DNS resolvers perform this function. In programming, resolving a symbol or dependency means determining its binding or location at compile or run time.

In law and governance, a resolution is a formal expression of the opinion or will of a deliberative body, such as a parliament or council. The act of resolving a dispute involves reaching a settlement through negotiation, arbitration, or adjudication.

Originating from Latin resolvere, to loosen or unbind, resolve has a broad semantic family that includes solution, determination, and conclusion. The gerund resolving shares its core meaning of bringing something to a conclusion or making it definite.