acquittance
/əˈkwɪtəns/ noun, verb
Forms acquittances acquittancing acquittanced acquittaunce
- noun (now historical) A writing which is evidence of a discharge; a receipt in full, which bars a further demand.
- noun (now rare) Payment of debt; settlement.
- noun (now historical) The release from a debt, or from some obligation or duty; exemption.
- noun (obsolete) The dismissal of a legal charge against someone; acquittal.
- noun (now rare) The acquittal of one's duties; the carrying out of fulfilment of a job or role.
- verb (transitive, obsolete) To acquit.
Synonyms
absolution acquitment assoilment acquittal compurgation disculpation exculpation exoneration not guilty quittance vindication assoil clear exonerate assoilzie acquit absolve disculp disculpate exculpate release
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman acquitance, Middle French aquitance, from acquiter (“to acquit”). Compare later acquittal.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The clearing off of debt or obligation; a release or discharge from debt or other liability.
- noun A writing which is evidence of a discharge; a receipt in full, which bars a further demand.
- verb To acquit. [Obs.] Shak.
Etymology [OF. aquitance, fr. aquiter. See Acquit.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “acquittance”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details