acquit etymology

Etymology

• Old French aquiter, from Late Latin aquittare, from Latin adquittare, meaning "to liberate, set free"

Meaning

• To declare (someone) not guilty of a criminal charge
• To release from an obligation or debt

Origin

The Latin root adquittare is composed of the prefix ad- ("to") and the verb quittare, meaning "to free, release". The prefix ad- intensifies the meaning of quittare, emphasizing the complete or final nature of the action.

The word entered English in the 13th century, and it has been used in the legal sense of "to declare not guilty" since the 14th century.

acquit relate terms

• acquitted

  Etymology The word acquitted is derived from the Latin verb acquittare which means

• acquit

  Etymology Old French aquiter from Late Latin aquittare from Latin adquittare meaning

• acquittal

  Etymology Old French acquittement from Late Latin acquittamentum from Latin acquit

• acquit

  Etymology Old French aquiter from Late Latin aquittare from Latin adquittare meaning

• convict

  Etymology The word convict is derived from the Latin word convictus which means con

• clear

  Etymology Originates from Latin clarus meaning bright clear or shining Mea

• discharge

  Etymology The word discharge comes from the Old French word descharger meaning to

• quit

  Etymology The word quit comes from the Old French word quiter which means to give

• absolve

  Etymology Latin absolvere to set free from ab away solvere to loosen Meanin

• absolution

  Etymology Latin absolutio noun derived from absolvere meaning to loosen set free

• deport

  Etymology From Old French deporter from Latin deportare meaning to carry off banish

• fluster

  Etymology Middle English flustren flustren from Old English flustrian to blow or b

• posture

  Etymology Late Middle English in the sense manner of standing or sitting from O