Definitions for: Absolve


[v] let off the hook; "I absolve you from this responsibility"
[v] grant remission of a sin to; "The priest absolved him and told him to say ten Hail Mary's"



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.
--Macaulay.

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

In his name I absolve your perjury. --Gibbon.

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

The work begun, how soon absolved. --Milton.

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

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.

Synonyms: free, justify

Antonyms: blame, fault

See Also: excuse, exempt, forgive, let off, relieve, wash one's hands

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