acquit

CEFRC2

/əˈkwɪt/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To officially decide that someone is not guilty of a crime.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To discharge (for example, a claim or debt); to clear off, to pay off; to fulfil.

Examples

  • The jury acquitted the prisoner of the charge.

  • The jury decided to acquit the defendant after reviewing the new evidence.

At a glance

Sits at C2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. to discharge, release, or set free from a burden, duty, liability, or obligation, or from an accusation or charge.

  2. To declare or find innocent or not guilty.

  3. To bear or conduct oneself; to perform one's part.

More examples

In context

  • The orator acquitted himself very poorly.

  • The soldier acquitted herself well in battle.

  • God forbid any Malice ſhould preuayle, / That faultleſſe may condemne a Noble man: / Pray God he may acquit him of ſuſpicion.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The jury deliberated for hours before voting to blank the defendant of all charges.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English aquī̆ten (“to give in return; to pay, repay; to redeem (a pledge, security), to make good (a promise); to make amends; to relieve of an obligation; to acquit, clear of a charge; to free; to deprive of; to do one's part, acquit oneself; to act, behave (in a certain way)”), from Old French aquiter (“to act, do”) and Medieval Latin acquitāre (“to settle a debt”), from ad- (“to”) + quitare (“to free”), equivalent to a- + quit. Doublet of acquiet; also related to quit, quiet and acquiesce.