absolution

From Middle English absolucion, absolucioun, from Old French absolution, from Latin absolūtiōnem, accusative singular of absolūtiō (“acquittal”), from absolvō (“absolve”). See also absolve.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /æb.səˈljuː.ʃn̩/

  • Audio (Southern England):

    (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌæb.səˈl(j)u.ʃn̩/
• Rhymes: -uːʃən

absolution (countable and uncountable, plural absolutions)

1. (ecclesiastical) An absolving of sins from ecclesiastical penalties by an authority. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]^[1]
2. The forgiveness of sins, in a general sense. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]^[1]
3. The form of words by which a penitent is absolved. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]^[1]
4. An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness of an offense. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]^[1]

   Governments granting absolution to the nation.

   • 1919 August, H. L. Mencken, The Smart Set, pages 60–1:

     The true aim of medicine is not to make men virtuous; it is to safeguard and rescue them from the consequences of their vices. The physician does not preach repentance; he offers absolution.

5. (civil law, obsolete) An acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring an accused person innocent. [First attested in the early 17^th century.]^[1]
6. (obsolete) Delivery, in speech.
   • 1641, Ben Jonson, Discoveries Made upon Men and Matter‎^[1]:

     the words are chosen , their sound ample , the composition full , the absolution plenteous

• indulgence

• isobutanol

From Latin absolūtiō (“acquittal, absolving”), from absolvō (“I detach; finish; absolve, acquit”).

• IPA^(key): [ɑbsoluˈɕoˀn]

absolution c (singular definite absolutionen, plural indefinite absolutioner)

1. (religion, ecclesiastical) (an absolving of sins from ecclesiastical penalties by an authority, especially in the Catholic or orthodox church)

   Coordinate terms: syndsforladelse, skriftemål

• “absolution” in Den Danske Ordbog

From Old French, from Latin absolūtiōnem (“acquittal”), from absolvō (“absolve”).

• IPA^(key): /ap.sɔ.ly.sjɔ̃/

• Audio:

  (file)

absolution f (plural absolutions)

1. absolution (from sins or wrongs)
2. (law) acquittal, absolution

• absoudre
• absolu
• absolutoire

• “absolution”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

From Old French absolution, from Latin absolūtiō, absolūtiōnem (“acquittal”), from absolvō, absolvere (“absolve, acquit”), from ab (“from, away from”) + solvō, solvere (“release, loosen, dissolve, take apart”).

absolution f (plural absolutions)

1. (Jersey) absolution