absolve
Meaning: To declare someone free from blame, guilt, or responsibility; to formally release a person from an obligation, punishment, or the consequences of wrongdoing.
Absolve operates in both legal and moral registers. In legal contexts, it means to clear someone of liability or criminal responsibility — an inquiry might absolve a company of negligence. In religious usage, it refers to the granting of forgiveness for sins, particularly in the Catholic sacrament of confession. In journalism, it appears frequently in reports about investigations and inquiries that clear individuals or organisations. It collocates with 'of blame,' 'of responsibility,' 'from guilt,' and 'from liability.'
Examples
- The inquiry absolved the hospital trust of any direct responsibility for the patient's death. 调查免除了医院信托基金对该患者死亡的任何直接责任。La investigación absolvió al trust hospitalario de toda responsabilidad directa por la muerte del paciente.調査は、その患者の死亡に対する病院トラストの直接的責任を免除した。조사 결과 해당 병원 트러스트는 환자의 사망에 대한 직접적 책임이 면제되었다.
- The fact that he was following orders does not absolve him of moral responsibility for his actions. 他在执行命令这一事实并不能免除他的道德责任。El hecho de que estuviera cumpliendo órdenes no le exime de responsabilidad moral por sus actos.命令に従っていたという事実は、彼の行為に対する道義的責任を免除するものではない。명령에 따랐다는 사실이 그의 행위에 대한 도의적 책임을 면제하는 것은 아니다.
- The court's ruling effectively absolved the manufacturer from liability for the design defect. 法院的裁决实质上免除了制造商对该设计缺陷的法律责任。El fallo del tribunal eximió de hecho al fabricante de responsabilidad por el defecto de diseño.裁判所の判決は、事実上、設計上の欠陥に対する製造者の責任を免除した。법원의 판결은 사실상 설계 결함에 대한 제조자의 책임을 면제했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin absolvere (to set free, acquit), combining ab- (from) and solvere (to loosen, release). Entered English through Old French in the 15th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from General Advanced
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free