All 27 Uses of
resolve
in
Gulliver's Travels
- But I was resolved to fit the work as much as possible to the general capacity of readers.
Chpt Intr. (definition 1)resolved = determined (having firm purpose or having firmly decided)
- When I came back I resolved to settle in London; to which Mr. Bates, my master, encouraged me, and by him I was recommended to several patients.
Chpt 1 (definition 2)resolved = decided
- When I had for some time entertained their excellencies, to their infinite satisfaction and surprise, I desired they would do me the honour to present my most humble respects to the emperor their master, the renown of whose virtues had so justly filled the whole world with admiration, and whose royal person I resolved to attend, before I returned to my own country.†
Chpt 1 (definition 2)
- But I was a little comforted by a message from his majesty, "that he would give orders to the grand justiciary for passing my pardon in form:" which, however, I could not obtain; and I was privately assured, "that the empress, conceiving the greatest abhorrence of what I had done, removed to the most distant side of the court, firmly resolved that those buildings should never be repaired for her use: and, in the presence of her chief confidents could not forbear vowing revenge."†
Chpt 1 (definition 2)
- The general came into the same opinion; so that for a long time there was a majority against you; but his majesty resolving, if possible, to spare your life, at last brought off the chamberlain.
Chpt 1 (definition 2)resolving = deciding
- …this answer the envoy returned to Lilliput; and the monarch of Blefuscu related to me all that had passed; offering me at the same time (but under the strictest confidence) his gracious protection, if I would continue in his service; wherein, although I believed him sincere, yet I resolved never more to put any confidence in princes or ministers, where I could possibly avoid it; and therefore, with all due acknowledgments for his favourable intentions, I humbly begged to be excused.†
Chpt 1 (definition 2)
- I told him, "that since fortune, whether good or evil, had thrown a vessel in my way, I was resolved to venture myself on the ocean, rather than be an occasion of difference between two such mighty monarchs."†
Chpt 1 (definition 2)
- I guessed his meaning, and my good fortune gave me so much presence of mind, that I resolved not to struggle in the least as he held me in the air above sixty feet from the ground, although he grievously pinched my sides, for fear I should slip through his fingers.
Chpt 2 (definition 2)resolved = decided
- And as I have been always told, and found true by experience in my travels, that flying or discovering fear before a fierce animal, is a certain way to make it pursue or attack you, so I resolved, in this dangerous juncture, to show no manner of concern.
Chpt 2 (definition 2)
- My master, finding how profitable I was likely to be, resolved to carry me to the most considerable cities of the kingdom.
Chpt 2 (definition 2)
- The farmer observed it, and concluding I must soon die, resolved to make as good a hand of me as he could.
Chpt 2 (definition 2)
- While he was thus reasoning and resolving with himself, a sardral, or gentleman-usher, came from court, commanding my master to carry me immediately thither for the diversion of the queen and her ladies.
Chpt 2 (definition 2)resolving = deciding
- From thence we went to Tonquin, where the captain resolved to continue some time, because many of the goods he intended to buy were not ready, nor could he expect to be dispatched in several months.
Chpt 3 (definition 2)resolved = decided
- I ate no other supper, being resolved to spare my provisions as much as I could.
Chpt 3 (definition 1) *resolved = determined (with firmness of purpose)
- I was weary of being confined to an island where I received so little countenance, and resolved to leave it with the first opportunity.
Chpt 3 (definition 2) *resolved = decided
- His lordship added, "That he would not, by any further particulars, prevent the pleasure I should certainly take in viewing the grand academy, whither he was resolved I should go."†
Chpt 3 (definition 2)
- However, since the king was pleased to allow me access to his royal person, I was resolved, upon the very first occasion, to deliver my opinion to him on this matter freely and at large, by the help of my interpreter; and whether he would please to take my advice or not, yet in one thing I was determined, that his majesty having frequently offered me an establishment in this country, I would, with great thankfulness, accept the favour, and pass my life here in the conversation of those…†
Chpt 3 (definition 2)
- That, if it had been my good fortune to come into the world a struldbrug, as soon as I could discover my own happiness, by understanding the difference between life and death, I would first resolve, by all arts and methods, whatsoever, to procure myself riches.
Chpt 3 (definition 2)resolve = decide; or decision
- But first they resolved to sell the goods the ship, and then go to Madagascar for recruits, several among them having died since my confinement.
Chpt 4 (definition 2)resolved = decided
- They all swore, "they knew no more than myself;" but said, "that the captain" (as they called him) "was resolved, after they had sold the lading, to get rid of me in the first place where they could discover land."
Chpt 4 (definition 1)resolved = determined (having firm purpose or having firmly decided)
- When I was a little refreshed, I went up into the country, resolving to deliver myself to the first savages I should meet, and purchase my life from them by some bracelets, glass rings, and other toys, which sailors usually provide themselves with in those voyages, and whereof I had some about me.
Chpt 4 (definition 2)resolving = deciding
- This thought gave me so much comfort, that I resolved to go forward, until I could discover some house or village, or meet with any of the natives, leaving the two horses to discourse together as they pleased.
Chpt 4 (definition 2)resolved = decided
- Upon the whole, the behaviour of these animals was so orderly and rational, so acute and judicious, that I at last concluded they must needs be magicians, who had thus metamorphosed themselves upon some design, and seeing a stranger in the way, resolved to divert themselves with him; or, perhaps, were really amazed at the sight of a man so very different in habit, feature, and complexion, from those who might probably live in so remote a climate.†
Chpt 4 (definition 2)
- I plainly observed that their language expressed the passions very well, and the words might, with little pains, be resolved into an alphabet more easily than the Chinese.†
Chpt 4 (definition 2)
- I said farther, "that if good fortune ever restored me to my native country, to relate my travels hither, as I resolved to do, everybody would believe, that I said the thing that was not, that I invented the story out of my own head; and (with all possible respect to himself, his family, and friends, and under his promise of not being offended) our countrymen would hardly think it probable that a Houyhnhnm should be the presiding creature of a nation, and a Yahoo the brute."†
Chpt 4 (definition 2)
- After I had discovered this island, I considered no further; but resolved it should if possible, be the first place of my banishment, leaving the consequence to fortune.
Chpt 4 (definition 2)resolved = decided
- And although this were little better than conjecture, yet I resolved to steer my course eastward, hoping to reach the south-west coast of New Holland, and perhaps some such island as I desired lying westward of it.
Chpt 4 (definition 2)
Definitions:
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(1) (resolve as in: Her resolve weakened.) firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
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(2) (resolve as in: I resolved to stop drinking.) to decide -- typically a firm or formal decisioneditor's notes: In modern writing resolve is typically used to emphasize a firm or formal decision. In classic literature, it is used more frequently and often simply replaces decide or determine.