definition of the word absolve

15th Century, from Latin absolvere (“‘to set free, to absolve’”), from ab- + solvere (“‘to loose’”).

• (UK) IPA: /əbˈzɒlv/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

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to absolve (third-person singular simple present absolves, present participle absolving, simple past and past participle absolved)

1. (transitive) To set free, release or discharge (from obligations, debts, responsibility etc.).

   You will absolve a subject from his allegiance.

   • 1855, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James II, volume III,  

1. • Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.

2. (transitive) To pronounce free from or give absolution for a penalty, blame, sin or guilt.
3. (transitive, theology) To pronounce free or give absolution from sin.
   • 1782, Edward Gibbon, History Of The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire, volume VI,  

1. • In his name I absolve your perjury and sanctify your arms.

2. (transitive, obsolete) To finish; to accomplish.
   • 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Second Edition, Book VII, line 94

     and the work begun, how soon / Absolv’d,

3. (transitive, obsolete) To resolve or explain.
   • 1646, Sir Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica^[1], page x,  

1. • We shall not absolve the doubt.

• (set free): excuse, exempt, free, release
• (pronounce free or give absolution): acquit, exculpate, exonerate, pardon, remit, vindicate
• (theology: to pronounce free or give absolution from sin): remit

• absolver

• absolute
• absolution

Definition from Wiktionary Content avaible with GNU Free Documentation License

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