An example of absolve is when a priest hears confession and tells the confessor that God has forgiven him.
- to pronounce free from guilt or blame; acquit
- to give religious absolution to
- to remit (a sin)
- to free (from a duty, promise, etc.)
Origin of absolveMiddle English absolven ; from Classical Latin absolvere, to loosen from ; from ab-, from + solvere: see solve
transitive verbab·solved, ab·solv·ing, ab·solves
- To pronounce clear of guilt or blame.
- To relieve of a requirement or obligation.
- a. To grant a remission of sin to.b. To pardon or remit (a sin).
Origin of absolveMiddle English absolven, from Latin absolvere; see absolute.
(third-person singular simple present absolves, present participle absolving, simple past and past participle absolved)
- To set free, release or discharge (from obligations, debts, responsibility etc.). [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
- You will absolve a subject from his allegiance.
- To pronounce free from or give absolution for a penalty, blame, or guilt. [First attested in the mid 16th century.]
- (law) To pronounce not guilty; to grant a pardon for. [First attested in the mid 16th century.]
- (theology) To grant a remission of sin; to give absolution to. [First attested in the mid 16th century.]
- (theology) To remit a sin; to give absolution for a sin. [First attested in the late 16th century.]
- To pass a course or test; to gain credit for a class; to qualify academically.
- (to set free, release from obligations): Normally followed by the word from.
- (to pronounce free from; give absolution for blame): Normally followed by the word from.
absolve - Legal Definition
- To forgive misconduct.
- To free from guilt or suspicion; for example, when evidence proves that a suspect is innocent of a crime.
- To free from the penalties imposed as a result of misconduct.
- To free from a debt, duty, obligation, or responsibility.