Part 53

<h1>Absolvable</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab*solv"a*ble</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>That may be absolved.</def>

<h1>Absolvatory</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab*solv"a*to*ry</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Conferring absolution; absolutory.</def>

<h1>Absolve</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab*solve"</hw> <tt>(#; 277)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Absolved</er> <tt>(#)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Absolving</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[L. <ets>absolvere</ets> to set free, to absolve; <ets>ab + solvere</ets> to loose. See <er>Assoil</er>, <er>Solve</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>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>as, to <ex>absolve</ex> a subject from his allegiance; to <ex>absolve</ex> an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment.</as></def>

<blockquote>Halifax was <b>absolved</b> by a majority of fourteen. <i>Macaulay.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); -- said of the sin or guilt.</def>

<blockquote>In his name I <b>absolve</b> your perjury. <i>Gibbon.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To finish; to accomplish.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<blockquote>The work begun, how soon <b>absolved</b>. <i>Milton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To resolve or explain.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> "We shall not <i>absolve</i> the doubt."

<i>Sir T. Browne.</i></blockquote>

<syn>Syn. -- To <er>Absolve</er>, <er>Exonerate</er>, <er>Acquit</er>.</syn> <usage> We speak of a man as <i>absolved</i> from something that binds his conscience, or involves the charge of wrongdoing; as, to <i>absolve</i> from allegiance or from the obligation of an oath, or a promise. We speak of a person as <i>exonerated</i>, when he is released from some burden which had rested upon him; as, to <i>exonerate</i> from suspicion, to <i>exonerate</i> from blame or odium. It implies a purely moral acquittal. We speak of a person as <i>acquitted</i>, 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 <i>acquitted</i> of all participation in the crime.</usage>

<h1>Absolvent</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab*solv"ent</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>absolvens</ets>, p. pr. of <ets>absolvere</ets>.]</ety> <def>Absolving.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Carlyle.</i>

<h1>Absolvent</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab*solv"ent</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>An absolver.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Hobbes.</i>

<h1>Absolver</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab*solv"er</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who absolves.</def>

<i>Macaulay.</i>

<h1>Absonant</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab"so*nant</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>ab + sonans</ets>, p. pr. of <ets>sonare</ets> to sound.]</ety> <def>Discordant; contrary; -- opposed to <i>consonant</i>.</def> "<i>Absonant</i> to nature."

<i>Quarles.</i>

<h1>Absonous</h1> <Xpage=7>

<hw>Ab"so*nous</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>absonus</ets>; <ets>ab + sonus</ets> sound.]</ety> <def>Discordant; inharmonious; incongruous.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> "<i>Absonous</i> to our reason."