a. [ L. absolutus, p. p. of absolvere: cf. F. absolu. See Absolve. ] 1. Loosed from any limitation or condition; uncontrolled; unrestricted; unconditional; as, absolute authority, monarchy, sovereignty, an absolute promise or command; absolute power; an absolute monarch. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Complete in itself; perfect; consummate; faultless; as, absolute perfection; absolute beauty. [ 1913 Webster ]

So absolute she seems,
And in herself complete. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Viewed apart from modifying influences or without comparison with other objects; actual; real; -- opposed to relative and comparative; as, absolute motion; absolute time or space. [ 1913 Webster ]

Absolute rights and duties are such as pertain to man in a state of nature as contradistinguished from relative rights and duties, or such as pertain to him in his social relations. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Loosed from, or unconnected by, dependence on any other being; self-existent; self-sufficing. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In this sense God is called the Absolute by the Theist. The term is also applied by the Pantheist to the universe, or the total of all existence, as only capable of relations in its parts to each other and to the whole, and as dependent for its existence and its phenomena on its mutually depending forces and their laws. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Capable of being thought or conceived by itself alone; unconditioned; non-relative. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ It is in dispute among philosopher whether the term, in this sense, is not applied to a mere logical fiction or abstraction, or whether the absolute, as thus defined, can be known, as a reality, by the human intellect. [ 1913 Webster ]

To Cusa we can indeed articulately trace, word and thing, the recent philosophy of the absolute. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Positive; clear; certain; not doubtful. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I am absolute 't was very Cloten. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Authoritative; peremptory. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The peddler stopped, and tapped her on the head,
With absolute forefinger, brown and ringed. Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Chem.) Pure; unmixed; as, absolute alcohol. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Gram.) Not immediately dependent on the other parts of the sentence in government; as, the case absolute. See Ablative absolute, under Ablative. [ 1913 Webster ]

Absolute curvature (Geom.), that curvature of a curve of double curvature, which is measured in the osculating plane of the curve. --
Absolute equation (Astron.), the sum of the optic and eccentric equations. --
Absolute space (Physics), space considered without relation to material limits or objects. --
Absolute terms. (Alg.), such as are known, or which do not contain the unknown quantity. Davies & Peck. --
Absolute temperature (Physics), the temperature as measured on a scale determined by certain general thermo-dynamic principles, and reckoned from the absolute zero. --
Absolute zero (Physics), the be ginning, or zero point, in the scale of absolute temperature. It is equivalent to -273° centigrade or -459.4° Fahrenheit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Positive; peremptory; certain; unconditional; unlimited; unrestricted; unqualified; arbitrary; despotic; autocratic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Geom.) In a plane, the two imaginary circular points at infinity; in space of three dimensions, the imaginary circle at infinity. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an absolute, independent, or unconditional manner; wholly; positively. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being absolute; independence of everything extraneous; unlimitedness; absolute power; independent reality; positiveness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Basi- + solute, a. ] (Bot.) Prolonged at the base, as certain leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. dissolutus, p. p. of dissolvere: cf. F. dissolu. See Dissolve. ] 1. With nerves unstrung; weak. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Loosed from restraint; recklessly abandoned to sensual pleasures; esp., loose in morals and conduct; profligate; wanton; lewd; debauched. “A wild and dissolute soldier.” Motley.

3. Specifically: Engaging in excessive drinking, or promiscuous sexual activity. [ PJC ]

Syn. -- Uncurbed; unbridled; disorderly; unrestrained; reckless; wild; wanton; vicious; lax; licentious; lewd; rakish; debauched; profligate. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a dissolute manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. State or quality of being dissolute; looseness of morals and manners; addictedness to sinful pleasures; debauchery; dissipation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chivalry had the vices of dissoluteness. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. ir- not + resolute: cf. F. irrésolu, L. irresolutus not loosened. ] Not resolute; not decided or determined; wavering; given to doubt or irresolution. [ 1913 Webster ]

Weak and irresolute is man. Cowper.

Syn. -- Wavering; vacillating; undetermined; undecided; unsettled; fickle; changeable; inconstant.

-- Ir*res"o*lute*ly, adv. -- Ir*res"o*lute*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the failure to behave in a resolute manner; fluctuation in intention.
Syn. -- irresolution. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ Cf. F. résolu. The L. resolutus (p. p. of resolvere) means, relaxed, enervated, effeminate. See Resolve, v. t. & i. ] 1. Having a decided purpose; determined; resolved; fixed in a determination; hence, bold; firm; steady. [ 1913 Webster ]

Edward is at hand,
Ready to fight; therefore be resolute. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Convinced; satisfied; sure. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Resolving, or explaining; as, the Resolute Doctor Durand. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Determined; decided; fixed; steadfast; steady; constant; persevering; firm; bold; unshaken. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who is resolute; hence, a desperado. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Redelivery; repayment. [ Obs. ] “Yearly resolutes, deductions, and payments.” Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a resolute manner; with fixed purpose; boldly; firmly; steadily; with perseverance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some . . . facts he examines, some he resolutely denies. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being resolute. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. solutus, p. p. of solvere to loosen. See Solve. ] 1. Loose; free; liberal; as, a solute interpretation. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Relaxed; hence; merry; cheerful. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A brow solute, and ever-laughing eye. Young. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Soluble; as, a solute salt. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Bot.) Not adhering; loose; -- opposed to adnate; as, a solute stipule. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To dissolve; to resolve. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To absolve; as, to solute sin. [ Obs. ] Bale. [ 1913 Webster ]