acquit

English

/əˈkwɪt/

verb
Definitions
  • (transitive) To declare or find innocent or not guilty.
  • (transitive) To discharge (for example, a claim or debt); to clear off, to pay off; to fulfil.
  • (transitive) Followed by of (and formerly by from): to discharge, release, or set free from a burden, duty, liability, or obligation, or from an accusation or charge.
  • (reflexive) To bear or conduct oneself; to perform one's part.
  • (reflexive) To clear oneself.
  • (transitive) (past participle of) acquit.
  • (transitive) To release, to rescue, to set free.
  • (transitive) To pay for; to atone for.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English aquī̆ten, aquiten (give in return, redeem, behave, make amends, repay, make good, pay, acquit, acquit oneself, deprive of, relieve of an obligation, do one's part, clear of a charge, act, security, free) derived from Old French aquiter (do, act) derived from Latin acquitāre prefix from English quit (small passerine bird).

Origin

English

quit

Gloss

small passerine bird

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms