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.
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.] ``We shall not absolve the doubt.'' --Sir T. Browne.
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.
The class then considered how to deal with such legal roadblocks as "preemption," which suggests that the surgeon general's warnings on cigarette packs may absolve tobacco companies of responsibility for their products.
Postelnicu burst into tears asking for a 15-20 year prison term. He told the court he did not try to absolve himself of guilt and of the responsibility his position implied.
But privately they try to absolve the attorney general of responsibility, insisting the decision was made at the White House.
Democrats are also now busy deploring "the process," which is a nice way to absolve individuals.
Johnson asked that the court absolve him of liability and force the plaintiffs to pay legal fees.
Mrs. Tracy, 46, said she and other "priestesses" absolve the sins of male followers with sex acts in what she claims is a revival of ancient Egyptian religious rites.
The strategy has had two goals: first, to constrict the executive's ability to act; second, to effectively absolve Members of direct responsibility for any failures.
Lie detectors can catch wrongdoers and also absolve innocent suspects, Mr. de Bernardo said.
The decision, written by Judge James Buckley, concluded that OSHA isn't empowered "to absolve employers who observe specific standards from duties otherwise imposed on them by a general duty clause."
I have not heard one word of outrage about this from you. You seem to absolve Pierce, who sat on this gold mine, permitted this kind of abuse for so many years, and _ not absolve him _ but you don't criticize him at all.
I have not heard one word of outrage about this from you. You seem to absolve Pierce, who sat on this gold mine, permitted this kind of abuse for so many years, and _ not absolve him _ but you don't criticize him at all.
Yet the creation of arm's-length agencies does not absolve the politician in charge from a duty of oversight.