English Dictionary - With Multi-Lingual Search

English

Etymology
15th Century, From Latin absolvere "to set free", "to absolve", formed from ab- + solvere "to loose".

Pronunciation
RP:

• IPA|/É�bË�zÉ�lv/

audio|en-us-absolve.ogg|Audio (US)

Verb
en-verb|absolv|ing

1. transitive To set free, release or discharge (from obligations, debts, responsibility etc.)

#: To absolve a subject from his allegiance.
#* 1855: w:Thomas Babington Macaulay|Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James II'', volume III, chapter XIV - Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.

1. transitive To pronounce free from or give absolution for a penalty, blame, sin or guilt
2. transitive theology To pronounce free or give absolution from sin.

#* 1782: w:Edward Gibbon|Edward Gibbon, History Of The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire, volume VI, chapter LXVII - In his name I absolve your perjury and sanctify your arms.

1. transitive obsolete To finish; to accomplish.

#* RQ:Milton Lost 1674, 7-94 - The work begun, how soon / absolved.

1. obsolete To resolve or explain.

#* 1646: w:Thomas Browne|Sir Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica VI-x - We shall not absolve the doubt.

Synonyms
(to set free): excuse, exempt, free, release
(to pronounce free or give absolution): acquit, exculpate, exonerate, pardon, remit, vindicate
(theology: to pronounce free or give absolution from sin): remit

Related terms
absolute
absolution

Translations
trans-top|to set free
Chinese: 使�� (sh� mi�nchú)
Dutch: vergeven, kwijtschelden, ontheffen
Finnish: vapauttaa
French: absoudre
German: entbinden
Greek: α�αλλά�� (apaláso)
Italian: assolvere
trans-mid
Japanese: 解���(������, kaih�suru)
Norwegian: frikjenne
Portuguese: eximir, exonerar
Russian: о�вобожда�� о� (osvoboždat� ot)
Swedish: frikalla, frita, fritaga, lösa
trans-bottom

trans-top|to pronounce free or give absolution
Chinese: 寬�, 宽� (ku�nshù)
Dutch: vrijspreken, vergeven
Finnish: antaa anteeksi|antaa synti|synnit antaa anteeksi|anteeksi, antaa synninpäästö
French: absoudre
German: freisprechen
Greek: ��γ���� (singhoró)
Italian: assolvere
trans-mid
Norwegian: frikjenne
Portuguese: absolver
Russian: о�вобожда�� о� (osvoboždat� ot), �нима�� (snimát�)
Swedish: frikänna
trans-bottom

trans-top|theology: to pronounce free or give absolution from sin
Chinese: 赦� (shèmi�n), 赦罪 (shèzuì)
French: absoudre
German: freisprechen, lossprechen
Italian: assolvere
trans-mid
Norwegian: tilgi
Portuguese: absolver
Russian: п�о�а�� (proš�át�), о�п��ка�� (otpuskát�)
Swedish: ge absolution åt, avlösa
trans-bottom

trans-top|to finish, to accomplish
Italian: assolvere
trans-mid
trans-bottom

trans-top|obsolete: to resolve or explain
trans-mid
trans-bottom

Translations to be checked
checktrans
ttbc|Arabic: Arab|أح�ت|أح��ت
ttbc|Korean: 방면���� (bangmyeonhasipsiyo)
ttbc|Novial: absolu
ttbc|Spanish: absolver, eximir, dispensar, exculpar, exonerar

ar:absolve
fa:absolve
fr:absolve
gl:absolve
io:absolve
it:absolve
hu:absolve
pt:absolve
ta:absolve
te:absolve
vi:absolve
tr:absolve
uk:absolve

• 2007-12-29 13:22 - Stephen G. Brown - /* Translations to be checked */

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