Absolve

Absolve
Absolve Ab*solve" (#; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Absolved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Absolving}.] [L. absolvere to set free, to absolve; ab + solvere to loose. See {Assoil}, {Solve}.] 1. To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such ties as it would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce free; as, to absolve a subject from his allegiance; to absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment. [1913 Webster]

Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

2. To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); -- said of the sin or guilt. [1913 Webster]

In his name I absolve your perjury. --Gibbon. [1913 Webster]

3. To finish; to accomplish. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

The work begun, how soon absolved. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

4. To resolve or explain. [Obs.] ``We shall not absolve the doubt.'' --Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To {Absolve}, {Exonerate}, {Acquit}.

Usage: We speak of a man as absolved from something that binds his conscience, or involves the charge of wrongdoing; as, to absolve from allegiance or from the obligation of an oath, or a promise. We speak of a person as exonerated, when he is released from some burden which had rested upon him; as, to exonerate from suspicion, to exonerate from blame or odium. It implies a purely moral acquittal. We speak of a person as acquitted, when a decision has been made in his favor with reference to a specific charge, either by a jury or by disinterested persons; as, he was acquitted of all participation in the crime. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • absolve — ab·solve /əb zälv, sälv/ vt ab·solved, ab·solv·ing 1: to set free or release from some obligation or responsibility a judgment terminating a parent s rights...absolve s that parent of all future support obligations In re Bruce R., 662 A.2d 107… …   Law dictionary

  • absolve — 1. Pronunciation is now normally with z , not s . 2. The usual construction is with a direct object, or in the passive, followed by of or from: • It absolved him of all responsibility L. A. G. Strong, 1948 • Absolve me from all spot of sin James… …   Modern English usage

  • absolve — [ab zälv′, absälv′, abzôlv′, absôlv′; əbzälv′, əb sälv, əbzôlv′, əbsôlv′] vt. absolved, absolving [ME absolven < L absolvere, to loosen from < ab , from + solvere: see SOLVE] 1. to pronounce free from guilt or blame; acquit 2. a) to give… …   English World dictionary

  • absolve — (v.) early 15c., from L. absolvere set free, loosen, acquit, from ab from (see AB (Cf. ab )) + solvere loosen (see SOLVE (Cf. solve)). Related: Absolved; absolving …   Etymology dictionary

  • absolve — exonerate, acquit, *exculpate, vindicate Analogous words: pardon, forgive, remit (see EXCUSE): release, *free, discharge Antonyms: hold (to a promise, an obligation): charge (with a sin, the blame, the responsibility) Contrasted words: blame (see …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • absolve — [v] free from responsibility, duty acquit, bleach, blink at, clear, discharge, exculpate, excuse, exempt, exonerate, forgive, free, go easy on, launder*, let off*, let off easy*, let off the hook*, let up on*, liberate, lifeboat*, loose, pardon,… …   New thesaurus

  • absolve — ► VERB 1) declare (someone) free from guilt or responsibility. 2) give absolution for (a sin). ORIGIN Latin absolvere set free, acquit …   English terms dictionary

  • absolve — verb 1) this fact does not absolve you from responsibility Syn: exonerate, discharge, acquit, vindicate; release, relieve, liberate, free, deliver, clear, exempt, let off; formal exculpate Ant: blame …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • absolve — UK [əbˈzɒlv] / US [əbˈzɑlv] verb [transitive] Word forms absolve : present tense I/you/we/they absolve he/she/it absolves present participle absolving past tense absolved past participle absolved 1) formal to state officially that someone is free …   English dictionary

  • absolve — absolvable, adj. absolvent, adj., n. absolver, n. /ab zolv , solv /, v.t., absolved, absolving. 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,… …   Universalium

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