Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
acquit [uh-kwit] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin verb (used with object), ac·quit·ted, ac·quit·ting.
- to relieve from a charge of fault or crime; declare not guilty: They acquitted him of the crime. The jury acquitted her, but I still think she’s guilty.
- to release or discharge (a person) from an obligation.
- to settle or satisfy (a debt, obligation, claim, etc.).
- to bear or conduct (oneself); behave: He acquitted himself well in battle.
- to free or clear (oneself): He acquitted himself of suspicion.
Origin of acquit 1200–50; Middle English aquiten Anglo-French, Old French a(c)quiter, derivative, with a(c)- ac-, of quite free of obligations Medieval Latin quit(t)us, Latin quiētus quiet1; cf. quit1 Related formsac·quit·ter, nounpre·ac·quit, verb (used with object), pre·ac·quit·ted, pre·ac·quit·ting.un·ac·quit·ted, adjectiveCan be confusedacquitted innocent nolo contendere (see synonym study at innocent)Synonyms for acquit 1. exculpate. 2. free.Synonym study 1. See absolve.Antonyms for acquit 1. convict. Examples from the Web for unacquitted Historical Examples of unacquitted
His unacquitted debt of vengeance on Linton, too, was not forgotten.
Charles James Lever
British Dictionary definitions for unacquitted acquit verb -quits, -quitting or -quitted (tr)
- (foll by of)
- to free or release (from a charge of crime)
- to pronounce not guilty
- (foll by of) to free or relieve (from an obligation, duty, responsibility, etc)
- to repay or settle (something, such as a debt or obligation)
- to perform (one’s part); conduct (oneself)
Derived Formsacquitter, nounWord Origin for acquit C13: from Old French aquiter, from quiter to release, free from, quit Word Origin and History for unacquitted acquit v.
early 13c., “to satisfy a debt” (either for oneself or on behalf of another), from Old French aquiter “pay, pay up, settle a claim” (12c.), from à “to” (see ad-) + quite “free, clear” (see quit (adj.)). Meanings “set free from charges” and “to discharge one’s duty” both recorded from late 14c. Related: Acquitted; acquitting.