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absolution

 - 3 dictionary results

ab⋅so⋅lu⋅tion

[ab-suh-loo-shuhn]
–noun
1. act of absolving; a freeing from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties.
2. state of being absolved.
3. Roman Catholic Theology.
a. a remission of sin or of the punishment for sin, made by a priest in the sacrament of penance on the ground of authority received from Christ.
b. the formula declaring such remission.
4. Protestant Theology. a declaration or assurance of divine forgiveness to penitent believers, made after confession of sins.

Origin:
1175–1225; ME absolucion < L absolūtiōn- (s. of absolūtiō) acquittal. See absolute, -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ab·so·lu·tion   (āb'sə-lōō'shən)   
n.  
  1. The act of absolving or the state of being absolved.

  2. The formal remission of sin imparted by a priest, as in the sacrament of penance.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin absolūtiō, acquittal, from absolūtus, past participle of absolvere, to absolve; see absolute.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

absolution 
"remission, forgiveness," c.1200, from L. absolutionem, noun of action from absolvere "to absolve" (see absolve).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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