v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Absolved p. pr. & vb. n. Absolving. ] [ L. absolvere to set free, to absolve; ab + solvere to loose. See Assoil, Solve. ] 1. To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such ties as it would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce free; as, to absolve a subject from his allegiance; to absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment. [ 1913 Webster ]

Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); -- said of the sin or guilt. [ 1913 Webster ]

In his name I absolve your perjury. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To finish; to accomplish. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The work begun, how soon absolved. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To resolve or explain. [ Obs. ] “We shall not absolve the doubt.” Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To Absolve, Exonerate, Acquit. We speak of a man as absolved from something that binds his conscience, or involves the charge of wrongdoing; as, to absolve from allegiance or from the obligation of an oath, or a promise. We speak of a person as exonerated, when he is released from some burden which had rested upon him; as, to exonerate from suspicion, to exonerate from blame or odium. It implies a purely moral acquittal. We speak of a person as acquitted, when a decision has been made in his favor with reference to a specific charge, either by a jury or by disinterested persons; as, he was acquitted of all participation in the crime. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. absolvens, p. pr. of absolvere. ] Absolving. [ R. ] Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An absolver. [ R. ] Hobbes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who absolves. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]