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absolution

[ ab-suh-loo-shuhn ]
/ ˌæb səˈlu ʃən /
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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.
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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use absolution in a sentence

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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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