resolving power

noun

1. Optics. the ability of an optical device to produce separate images of close objects.
2. Photography. the degree to which a lens or photographic emulsion is able to define the details of an image.

resolving power

noun

1. Also calledresolution physics
   1. the ability of a microscope, telescope, or other optical instrument to produce separate images of closely placed objects
   2. the ability of a spectrometer to separate two adjacent peaks in a spectrum
2. photog the ability of an emulsion to show up fine detail in an image

Word History and Origins

Origin of resolving power¹

First recorded in 1875–80