absolution

[ ab-suh-loo-shuhn ]

noun

1. act of absolving; a freeing from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties.
2. state of being absolved.
3. 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.
4. Protestant Theology. a declaration or assurance of divine forgiveness to penitent believers, made after confession of sins.

absolution

/ æbˈsɒljʊtərɪ; -trɪ; ˌæbsəˈluːʃən /

noun

1. the act of absolving or the state of being absolved; release from guilt, obligation, or punishment
2. 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

• absolutory, adjective

Other Words From

• nonab·so·lution noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of absolution¹

1175–1225; Middle English absolucion < Latin absolūtiōn- (stem of absolūtiō ) acquittal. See absolute, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of absolution¹

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

Example Sentences

Like many of Schrader’s antiheroes, from Taxi Driver’s Travis Bickle to the eco-conscious Pastor Ernst Toller of First Reformed, William is a haunted diarist in search of absolution.

From The Daily Beast

The full 108 takes most pilgrims about four full days, a relatively small fee for absolute absolution.

From Outside Online

Then he threw in one that seemed to me an odd item for which to seek absolution: technological innovation.

From The Daily Beast

Revising the second novel, Fallen Land, after the reviews were out for Absolution made it a much less overwhelming process.

From The Daily Beast

What drew you to South Africa as the setting for Absolution?

From The Daily Beast

My agent suggested I try to have a completed draft of a second novel before Absolution was published.

From The Daily Beast

When I was writing Absolution, I knew almost no other writers of fiction, and felt a distinct lack of community.

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg

In the course of time, absolution for the sacrilege was obtained from the Pope; but my father could never obtain it from himself.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

But the terms of this secret and the conditions of my absolution are peculiar.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• forgiveness