absolve

What it means

1. transitiveTo set free, release or discharge (from obligations, debts, responsibility etc.).First known use First attested around 1350 to 1470.

   You will absolve a subject from his allegiance.

   2 more examples

   Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world.

   1841, Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Self-Reliance”, in Essays: First Series

   The Committee divided, and Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.

   1851, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter XIV, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume III, London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC, page 410

   Synonyms: excuse, exempt, free, release, befree, deliver, discharge, disentangle

2. obsoletetransitiveTo resolve; to explain; to solve.First known use Attested from the late 15ᵗʰ century until the mid 17ᵗʰ century.

   1595, George Peele, The Old Wives’ Tale, The Malone Society Reprints, 1908, lines 331-332, […] he that can monsters tame, laboures atchive, riddles absolve […]

   1 more example

   we ſhall not abſolve the doubt.

   1650, Thomas Browne, “Of the blackneſſe of Negroes”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC, 6th book, page 276

   Synonyms: decipher, elucidate, work out, clarify, describe, direct, disclose, elaborate

3. transitiveTo pronounce free from or give absolution for a penalty, blame, or guilt.First known use First attested in the mid 16ᵗʰ century.

   A Heretic may see the truth and seek redemption. He may be forgiven his past and will be absolved in death. A Traitor can never be forgiven. A Traitor will never find peace in this world or the next. There is nothing as wretched or as hated in all the world as a Traitor.

   1993, Rick Priestley, Andy Chambers, Warhammer 40,000 Rulebook, Second edition, Games Workshop, page 22

   Synonyms: acquit, exculpate, exonerate, pardon, remit, vindicate, acquittance, assoil

In a sentence

You will absolve a subject from his allegiance.

Where it comes from

1. Latinabsolvere“set free, acquit”
2. Middle Englishabsolven
3. Englishabsolve

First attested in the early 15th century. From Middle English absolven, from Latin absolvere (“set free, acquit”), from ab (“away from”) + solvō (“loosen, free, release”). Doublet of assoil.

First known use: First attested around 1350 to 1470.