absolution
Meaning: Formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment; in Christian theology, the declaration by a priest that a person's sins are forgiven.
Absolution has its roots in religious practice — the priest's declaration following confession that the penitent's sins are forgiven. In secular usage, it describes any release from blame or responsibility, often with a sense of being officially pardoned. It carries a solemn, weighty tone. Common collocations include 'grant absolution,' 'seek absolution,' 'receive absolution,' and 'a form of absolution.'
Examples
- The priest offered absolution to the penitent after hearing his confession in the quiet of the chapel. 神父在教堂的静谧中聆听了忏悔者的告解后,给予了他赦免。El sacerdote ofreció la absolución al penitente tras escuchar su confesión en la quietud de la capilla.司祭は礼拝堂の静寂の中で告解を聞いた後、告解者に赦免を与えた。사제는 예배당의 고요한 가운데 고해를 들은 후 고해자에게 사면을 베풀었다.
- The public apology was widely seen as an attempt to seek absolution for years of corporate negligence. 那次公开道歉被广泛视为试图为多年的企业过失寻求赦免。La disculpa pública fue ampliamente interpretada como un intento de buscar la absolución por años de negligencia corporativa.その公式謝罪は、長年にわたる企業の怠慢に対する赦免を求める試みと広く見なされた。그 공식 사과는 수년간의 기업 태만에 대한 사면을 구하려는 시도로 널리 간주되었다.
- No amount of charitable giving could provide absolution for the harm his business practices had caused. 再多的慈善捐赠也无法为其商业行为造成的伤害提供赦免。Ninguna cantidad de donaciones benéficas podía proporcionar la absolución por el daño que sus prácticas empresariales habían causado.いかなる慈善寄付をもってしても、そのビジネス慣行が引き起こした害に対する赦免を得ることはできなかった。아무리 많은 자선 기부를 해도 그의 사업 관행이 초래한 피해에 대한 사면을 얻을 수는 없었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: literary, academic, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin absolutio (an acquittal, a release), from absolvere (to set free, acquit), from ab- (from, away) + solvere (to loosen, release). The religious sense of releasing from sin has been central to Christian practice since the early church.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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