absolve

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, obligation, or responsibility (usually fol. by from): to be absolved from one's oath.
3. to grant pardon for.
4. Eccles.
a. to grant or pronounce remission of sins to.
b. to remit (a sin) by absolution.
c. to declare (censure, as excommunication) removed.
[1525-35; < L absolvere, equiv. to ab- AB- + solvere to loosen; see SOLVE]
Syn. 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.
Ant. 1. blame.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”