acquittal

American  

[uh-kwit-l] / əˈkwɪt l /

noun

1. the act of acquitting; discharge.

2. the state of being acquitted; release.

3. the discharge or settlement of a debt, obligation, etc.

4. Law. judicial deliverance from a criminal charge on a verdict or finding of not guilty.

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acquittal Cultural  

1. The judgment of a court that a person charged with a crime is not guilty.

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Other Word Forms

• nonacquittal noun
• preacquittal noun
• proacquittal adjective

Etymology

Origin of acquittal

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English a(c)quitaille, from Anglo-French; equivalent to acquit + -al ²

Example Sentences

But it seems a bit like a criminal defense attorney polling the jury in advance about what will win him an acquittal.

From The Wall Street Journal

The player maintained his innocence and after his acquittal, said he could "play football again with a smile on my face."

From Barron's

Bush in 1992—at the request of California’s governor—to aid with civil unrest over the acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers in the beating of Rodney King, the center said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Prosecutor Dimitris Smyrnis had earlier recommended their acquittal, emphasising that "no independent basis establishing the criminal liability of the defendants has been demonstrated".

From Barron's

Corrections & Amplifications The Insurrection Act was most recently used to aid with civil unrest over the acquittal of four police officers in the beating of Rodney King, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.

From The Wall Street Journal