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absolve

 - 4 dictionary results

ab⋅solve

  [ab-zolv, -solv]
Use absolve in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -solved, -solv⋅ing.
1. to free from guilt or blame or their consequences: The court absolved her of guilt in his death.
2. to set free or release, as from some duty, obligation, or responsibility (usually fol. by from): to be absolved from one's oath.
3. to grant pardon for.
4. Ecclesiastical.
a. to grant or pronounce remission of sins to.
b. to remit (a sin) by absolution.
c. to declare (censure, as excommunication) removed.
Origin:
1525–35; < L absolvere, equiv. to ab- ab- + solvere to loosen; see solve

Related forms:
ab⋅solv⋅a⋅ble, adjective
ab⋅sol⋅vent, adjective, noun
ab⋅solv⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. exculpate, clear. Absolve, acquit, exonerate all mean to free from blame. Absolve is a general word for this idea. To acquit is to release from a specific and usually formal accusation: The court must acquit the accused if there is not enough evidence of guilt. To exonerate is to consider a person clear of blame or consequences for an act (even when the act is admitted), or to justify the person for having done it: to be exonerated for a crime committed in self-defense. 2. liberate, exempt. 3. excuse, forgive.

Antonyms:
1. blame.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To absolve
ab·solve   (əb-zŏlv', -sŏlv')   
tr.v.   ab·solved, ab·solv·ing, ab·solves

  1. To pronounce clear of guilt or blame.

  2. To relieve of a requirement or obligation.

    1. To grant a remission of sin to.

    2. To pardon or remit (a sin).


[Middle English absolven, from Latin absolvere; see absolute.]
ab·solv'a·ble adj., ab·solv'er n.
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

absolve 
1535, from L. absolvere "set free, loosen, acquit," from ab- "from" + solvere "loosen" (see solve).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ab·solve
Pronunciation: &b-'zälv, -'sälv
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: ab·solved; ab·solv·ing
1 : to set free or release from some obligation or responsibility absolves that parent of all future support obligations —In re Bruce Railroad, 662 Atlantic Reporter, Second Series 107 (1995)>
2 : to determine to be free of fault, guilt, or liability absolved the defendant of any negligence —Harbaugh v. Darr, 438 Pacific Reporter, Second Series 74 (1968)>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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