01 v. t. 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 si…
imp. & p. p.
Absolved; p. pr. & vb. n.
Absolving
-
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.]
Syn.
To Absolve, Exonerate, Acquit.
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.