Part 52

<hw>Ab`so*lu"tion</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[F. <ets>absolution</ets>, L. <ets>absolutio</ets>, fr. <ets>absolvere</ets> to absolve. See <er>Absolve</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness of an offense.</def> "Government . . . granting <i>absolution</i> to the nation."

<i>Froude.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Civil Law)</fld> <def>An acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring and accused person innocent.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(R. C. Ch.)</fld> <def>The exercise of priestly jurisdiction in the sacrament of penance, by which Catholics believe the sins of the truly penitent are forgiven.</def>

<note>&hand; In the English and other Protestant churches, this act regarded as simply declaratory, not as imparting forgiveness.</note>

<p><b>4.</b> <fld>(Eccl.)</fld> <def>An absolving from ecclesiastical penalties, -- for example, excommunication.</def>

<i>P. Cyc.</i>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>The form of words by which a penitent is absolved.</def>

<i>Shipley.</i>

<p><b>6.</b> <def>Delivery, in speech.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>B. Jonson.</i>

<cs><col>Absolution day</col> <fld>(R. C. Ch.)</fld>, <cd>Tuesday before Easter.</cd></cs>

<h1>Absolutism</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab"so*lu`tism</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The state of being absolute; the system or doctrine of the absolute; the principles or practice of absolute or arbitrary government; despotism.</def>

<blockquote>The element of <b>absolutism</b> and prelacy was controlling. <i>Palfrey.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Theol.)</fld> <def>Doctrine of absolute decrees.</def>

<i>Ash.</i>

<h1>Absolutist</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab"so*lu`tist</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>One who is in favor of an absolute or autocratic government.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Metaph.)</fld> <def>One who believes that it is possible to realize a cognition or concept of <i>the absolute</i>.</def>

<i>Sir. W. Hamilton.</i>

<h1>Absolutist</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab"so*lu`tist</hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Of or pertaining to absolutism; arbitrary; despotic; <as>as, <ex>absolutist</ex> principles</as>.</def>

<h1>Absolutistic</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab`so*lu*tis"tic</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Pertaining to absolutism; absolutist.</def>

<h1>Absolutory</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab*sol"u*to*ry</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>absolutorius</ets>, fr. <ets>absolvere</ets> to absolve.]</ety> <def>Serving to absolve; absolving.</def> "An absolutory sentence."

<i>Ayliffe.</i>