acquittal

English

Etymology

From acquit +‎ -al.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /əˈkwɪ.t(ə)l/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /əˈkwɪ.d(ə)l/

Noun

acquittal (countable and uncountable, plural acquittals)

  1. (now rare) The act of fulfilling the duties (of a given role, obligation etc.). [from 15th c.]
    Synonyms: completion, consummation, fulfilment, realization
  2. (law) A legal decision that someone is not guilty with which they have been charged, or the formal dismissal of a charge by some other legal process. [from 15th c.]
    Synonyms: acquittance, exoneration, quittance; see also Thesaurus:acquittal
    Antonyms: conviction, condemnation
    criminal acquittal
    absolute acquittal
    The jury returned a verdict of acquittal.
    His unexpected acquittal shocked the public.
  3. Payment of a debt or other obligation; reparations, amends. [from 15th c.]
    Synonyms: quittal, requital, satisfaction; see also Thesaurus:compensation
  4. (historical) The act of releasing someone from debt or other obligation; acquittance. [from 15th c.]
  5. (rare) Avoidance of danger; deliverance. [from 17th c.]

Alternative forms

Derived terms

Translations

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