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exonerate

 - 4 dictionary results

ex⋅on⋅er⋅ate

  [ig-zon-uh-reyt]
Use exonerate in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
1. to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame; exculpate: He was exonerated from the accusation of cheating.
2. to relieve, as from an obligation, duty, or task.
Origin:
1515–25; late ME < L exonerātus (ptp. of exonerāre to unburden, discharge), equiv. to ex- ex- 1 + oner- (s. of onus) a burden + -ātus -ate 1

Related forms:
ex⋅on⋅er⋅a⋅tion, noun
ex⋅on⋅er⋅a⋅tive, adjective
ex⋅on⋅er⋅a⋅tor, noun

Synonyms:
1. vindicate. See absolve. 2. release, discharge, free.

Antonyms:
1. blame.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To exonerate
ex·on·er·ate   (ĭg-zŏn'ə-rāt')   
tr.v.   ex·on·er·at·ed, ex·on·er·at·ing, ex·on·er·ates

  1. To free from blame.

  2. To free from a responsibility, obligation, or task.


[Middle English exoneraten, from Latin exonerāre, exonerāt-, to free from a burden : ex-, ex- + onus, oner-, burden.]
ex·on'er·a'tion n., ex·on'er·a'tive adj.
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

exonerate 
1448, from L. exoneratus, pp. of exonerare "remove a burden, discharge," from ex- "off" + onus (gen. oneris) "burden."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·on·er·ate
Pronunciation: ig-'zä-n&-"rAt, eg-
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -at·ed; -at·ing
Etymology: Latin exonerare to relieve, free, discharge, from ex- out + onerare to burden, from oner- onus load
1 : to relieve esp. of a charge, obligation, or hardship
2 : to clear from accusation or blame —compare ACQUIT, EXCULPATE
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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