Vindication
/ˌvɪn.dɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/noun
The act of clearing someone of blame or proving something to be right.
Did you know?Vindication comes from Latin *vindicare*, a word tied to asserting a claim or defending freedom, which is why it can feel less like apology and more like a legal-spiritual reclaiming of power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*weik-
“to fight, conquer, or overpower”
Latin
Latin
vindex
“a claimant, defender, or avenger; one who asserts a right”
Latin
Latin
vindicare
“to lay legal claim to, defend, free, or avenge”
Late Latin
Latin
vindicatio
“a claiming, defending, or avenging”
Old French
Old French
vindication
“vindication, justification, or defense”
Modern English
English
vindication
“the act of clearing from blame or proving right”
Explore more surprising origins