Acquit
/əˈkwɪt/noun
To free someone from a charge or accusation, or to conduct oneself in a specified way.
Did you know?The word comes from Latin roots tied to “paying off” and “settling accounts,” so an acquittal was originally a kind of verbal discharge from obligation, not just a courtroom win.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
acquietāre
“to set at rest, satisfy, discharge”
Old French
Old French
acquiter
“to free from duty or obligation; settle an account”
14th Century
English
acquiten
“to release from duty, repay, or clear of blame”
Modern English
English
acquit
“to declare not guilty; to free from a charge or obligation”