Absolved

2 definitions found

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

  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.
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              Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.
                                                    --Macaulay.
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     2. To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); --
        said of the sin or guilt.
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              In his name I absolve your perjury.   --Gibbon.
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     3. To finish; to accomplish. [Obs.]
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              The work begun, how soon absolved.    --Milton.
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     4. To resolve or explain. [Obs.] "We shall not absolve the
        doubt."                                     --Sir T.
                                                    Browne.
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     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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  absolved
       adj : freed from any question of guilt; "is absolved from all
             blame"; "was now clear of the charge of cowardice";
             "his official honor is vindicated" [syn: {clear}, {cleared},
              {exculpated}, {exonerated}, {vindicated}]