acquittal
noun/əˈkwɪtəl/ · [əˈkwɪtʰəl] ~ [əˈkwɪtʰl̩]
Etymology From acquit + -al.
1
Archaic The act of fulfilling the duties (of a given role, obligation etc.).
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.
- criminal acquittal
- absolute acquittal
2 more examples
- The jury returned a verdict of acquittal.
- His unexpected acquittal shocked the public.
3
Payment of a debt or other obligation; reparations, amends.
4
Historical The act of releasing someone from debt or other obligation; acquittance.
5
Rare Avoidance of danger; deliverance.
- Synonyms
- absolution, acquittance, acquitment, acquittal, assoilment, compurgation, disculpation, exculpation, exoneration, not guilty, quittance, vindication
- Antonyms
- condemnation, conviction, nonacquittal
- Derived terms
- nonacquittal, postacquittal, preacquittal
- Related terms
- acquit
- Hypernyms
- judgement
- Hyponyms
- jury nullification