in Music. To resolve a discord or dissonance, says Rousseau, is to carry it according to rule into a consonance in the subsequent chord. There is for that purpose a procedure prescribed, both for the fundamental bass of the dissonant chord, and for the part by which the dissonance is formed.

There is no possible manner of resolving a dissonance which is not derived from an operation of cadence; it is then by the kind of cadence which we wish to form, that the motion of the fundamental bass is determined, (see CADENCE). With respect to the part by which the dissonance is formed, it ought neither to continue in its place, nor to move by disjointed gradations; but to rise or descend diatonically, according to the nature of the dissonance. Theorists say, that major dissonances ought to rise, and minor to descend; which is not however without exception, since in particular chords of harmony, a seventh, although major, ought not to rise but to descend, unless in that chord, which is, very incorrectly, called the chord of the seventh redundant. It is better then to say, that the seventh and all its derivative dissonances ought to descend; and that the sixth superadded, and all its derivative dissonances, should rise. This is a rule truly general, and without any exception. It is the same case with the rule of resolving dissonances. There are some dissonances which cannot be prepared; but there is by no means one which ought not to be resolved.

With respect to the sensible note improperly called a major dissonance, if it ought to ascend, this is less on account of the rule for resolving dissonances, than on account of that which prescribes a diatonic procedure, and prefers the shortest road; and in reality, there are cases, as that of the interrupted cadence, in which this sensible note does not ascend.

in Chemistry, the reduction of a mixed body into its component parts or first principles, as far as can be done by a proper analysis.

in Medicine, the disappearing of any tumor without coming to suppuration or forming an abscess.

RESOLVENTS, in Medicine, such as are proper for dissipating tumors, without allowing them to come to suppuration.