acquittal
|ac-quit-tal|
C1
/əˈkwɪtəl/
not guilty verdict
Etymology
Etymology Information
'acquittal' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'acquiter', where 'a-' meant 'to' and 'quiter' meant 'free'.
Historical Evolution
'acquiter' transformed into the Middle English word 'aquiten', and eventually became the modern English word 'acquittal'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to free from a charge or accusation', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a judgment or verdict that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they have been charged.
The jury returned an acquittal after only two hours of deliberation.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45