WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2017
ac•quit /əˈkwɪt/USA pronunciation
v., -quit•ted, -quit•ting. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2017
- Law to declare not guilty of a crime or offense:[~ + object (+ of + object)]The jury acquitted her of all charges.
- to conduct (oneself);
behave:[~ + oneself]acquitted himself well in his first game.
(ə kwit′),USA pronunciation v.t., -quit•ted, -quit•ting.
- Lawto relieve from a charge of fault or crime;
declare not guilty:They acquitted him of the crime. The jury acquitted her, but I still think she's guilty.
- to release or discharge (a person) from an obligation.
- to settle or satisfy (a debt, obligation, claim, etc.).
- to bear or conduct (oneself );
behave:He acquitted himself well in battle.
- to free or clear (oneself ):He acquitted himself of suspicion.
- Medieval Latin quit(t)us, Latin quiētus quiet1; compare quit
- Anglo-French, Old French a(c)quiter, derivative, with a(c)- ac-, of quite free of obligations
- Middle English aquiten 1200–50
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged exculpate. See absolve.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged free.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged convict.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
acquit /əˈkwɪt/ vb ( -quits, -quitting, -quitted)(transitive)
Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French aquiter, from quiter to release, free from, quitacˈquitter n
- (followed by of) to free or release (from a charge of crime)
- to pronounce not guilty
- (followed by of) to free or relieve (from an obligation, duty, responsibility, etc)
- to repay or settle (something, such as a debt or obligation)
- to perform (one's part); conduct (oneself)
'acquitted' also found in these entries: