Absolution

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Absolution \Ab`so*lu"tion\, n. [F. absolution, L. absolutio, fr.
     absolvere to absolve. See {Absolve}.]
     1. An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty;
        forgiveness of an offense. "Government . . . granting
        absolution to the nation." --Froude.
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     2. (Civil Law) An acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring
        and accused person innocent. [Obs.]
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     3. (R. C. Ch.) The exercise of priestly jurisdiction in the
        sacrament of penance, by which Catholics believe the sins
        of the truly penitent are forgiven.
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     Note: In the English and other Protestant churches, this act
           regarded as simply declaratory, not as imparting
           forgiveness.
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     4. (Eccl.) An absolving from ecclesiastical penalties, -- for
        example, excommunication. --P. Cyc.
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     5. The form of words by which a penitent is absolved.
        --Shipley.
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     6. Delivery, in speech. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
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     {Absolution day} (R. C. Ch.), Tuesday before Easter.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  absolution
       n 1: the condition of being formally forgiven by a priest in the
            sacrament of penance
       2: the act of absolving or remitting; formal redemption as
          pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance [syn: {remission},
           {remittal}, {remission of sin}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  34 Moby Thesaurus words for "absolution":
     acquittal, acquittance, amnesty, clearance, clearing, compurgation,
     condonation, destigmatization, destigmatizing, discharge,
     disculpation, dismissal, exculpation, excuse, exemption,
     exoneration, forgiveness, grace, immunity, indemnity, pardon,
     purgation, purging, quietus, quittance, redemption, release,
     remission, remission of sin, reprieve, shrift, sparing,
     verdict of acquittal, vindication