absolute

The story

1. Old French · derived fromabsolu
2. Latin · derived fromabsolūtus“unconditional; unfettered; completed”
3. Middle French · derived fromabsolut
4. Middle English · inherited fromabsolut
5. English todayabsolute

First attested around 1380. From Middle English absolut, from Middle French absolut, from Latin absolūtus (“unconditional; unfettered; completed”), perfect passive participle of absolvō (“loosen, set free, complete”), from ab (“away”) + solvo (“to loose”). Influenced in part by Old French absolu. Compare absolve.

First known use, by meaning

• first attested in the late 1400s Free of restrictions, limitations, qualifications or conditions; unconditional.
• first attested in the late 1400s Unrestricted by laws, a constitution, or parliamentary or judicial or other checks; (legally) unlimited in power, especially if despotic.
• first attested in the late 1400s Characteristic of an absolutist ruler: domineering, peremptory.
• first attested around 1400 Free from imperfection, perfect, complete; especially, perfectly embodying a quality in its essential characteristics or to its highest degree.
• first attested in the mid 1500s Pure, free from mixture or adulteration; unmixed.
• first attested in the late 1500s Complete, utter, outright; unmitigated, not qualified or diminished in any way.
• first attested in the early 1600s Positive, certain; unquestionable; not in doubt.
• first attested in the early 1600s Certain; free from doubt or uncertainty (e.g. a person, opinion or prediction).