absolution

[ ab-suh-loo-shuh n ]
/ ˌæb səˈlu ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR absolution ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

act of absolving; a freeing from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties.
state of being absolved.
Roman Catholic Theology.
  1. a remission of sin or of the punishment for sin, made by a priest in the sacrament of penance on the ground of authority received from Christ.
  2. the formula declaring such remission.
Protestant Theology. a declaration or assurance of divine forgiveness to penitent believers, made after confession of sins.

Origin of absolution

1175–1225; Middle English absolucion < Latin absolūtiōn- (stem of absolūtiō) acquittal. See absolute, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM absolution

non·ab·so·lu·tion, noun

Words nearby absolution

absolute value, absolute viscosity, absolute zero, absolutely, absolutely convergent, absolution, absolutism, absolutive, absolutize, absolutory, absolve

Words related to absolution

forgiveness, mercy, exculpation, pardon, acquittal, release, amnesty, compurgation

Example sentences from the Web for absolution

British Dictionary definitions for absolution

absolution
/ (ˌæbsəˈluːʃən) /

noun

the act of absolving or the state of being absolved; release from guilt, obligation, or punishment
Christianity
  1. a formal remission of sin pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance
  2. the prescribed form of words granting such a remission

Derived forms of absolution

absolutory (æbˈsɒljʊtərɪ, -trɪ), adjective

Word Origin for absolution

C12: from Latin absolūtiōn- acquittal, forgiveness of sins, from absolvere to absolve