absolution

[ ab-suh-loo-shuhn ]
See synonyms for absolution on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. act of absolving; a freeing from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties.

  2. state of being absolved.

  1. Roman Catholic Theology.

    • 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.

    • the formula declaring such remission.

  2. Protestant Theology. a declaration or assurance of divine forgiveness to penitent believers, made after confession of sins.

Origin of absolution

1
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

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How to use absolution in a sentence

  • “Well, mistakes is humant,” sighed Sol, taking advantage of that universal absolution.

    The Bondboy | George W. (George Washington) Ogden
  • In the course of time, absolution for the sacrilege was obtained from the Pope; but my father could never obtain it from himself.

  • The friars had power of absolution, independently of the bishop; and it was a bitter grievance.

  • During the night he was visited by the Prior of the Dominicans, from whom, having made confession, he received absolution.

    Belgium | George W. T. (George William Thomson) Omond
  • But the terms of this secret and the conditions of my absolution are peculiar.

    Legends and Tales | Bret Harte

British Dictionary definitions for absolution

absolution

/ (ˌæbsəˈluːʃən) /


noun
  1. the act of absolving or the state of being absolved; release from guilt, obligation, or punishment

  2. Christianity

    • a formal remission of sin pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance

    • the prescribed form of words granting such a remission

Origin of absolution

1
C12: from Latin absolūtiōn- acquittal, forgiveness of sins, from absolvere to absolve

Derived forms of absolution

  • absolutory (æbˈsɒljʊtərɪ, -trɪ), adjective

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