\Ab*solve"\ (#; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Absolved}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Absolving}.] [L. absolvere to set free, to
absolve; ab + solvere to loose. See {Assoil}, {Solve}.]
1. To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or
   responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such
   ties as it would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce
   free; as, to absolve a subject from his allegiance; to
   absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and
   remission of his punishment.
         Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.
                                               --Macaulay.
2. To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); --
   said of the sin or guilt.
         In his name I absolve your perjury.   --Gibbon.
3. To finish; to accomplish. [Obs.]
         The work begun, how soon absolved.    --Milton.
4. To resolve or explain. [Obs.] ``We shall not absolve the
   doubt.''                                    --Sir T.
                                               Browne.
Syn: To {Absolve}, {Exonerate}, {Acquit}.
Usage: We speak of a man as absolved from something that
       binds his conscience, or involves the charge of
       wrongdoing; as, to absolve from allegiance or from the
       obligation of an oath, or a promise. We speak of a
       person as exonerated, when he is released from some
       burden which had rested upon him; as, to exonerate
       from suspicion, to exonerate from blame or odium. It
       implies a purely moral acquittal. We speak of a person
       as acquitted, when a decision has been made in his
       favor with reference to a specific charge, either by a
       jury or by disinterested persons; as, he was acquitted
       of all participation in the crime.