innocence

American  

[in-uh-suhns] / ˈɪn ə səns /

noun

1. the quality or state of being innocent; freedom from sin or moral wrong.

2. freedom from legal or specific wrong; guiltlessness.

   The prisoner proved his innocence.

3. simplicity; absence of guile or cunning; naiveté.

4. lack of knowledge or understanding.

5. harmlessness; innocuousness.

6. chastity.

7. an innocent person or thing.

8. bluet.

9. blue-eyed Mary.

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innocence British  

/ ˈɪnəsəns /

noun

1. Archaic word: innocency.  the quality or state of being innocent

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Other Word Forms

• superinnocence noun

Etymology

Origin of innocence

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word innocentia. See innocent, -ence

Example Sentences

That image of innocence was spread in newspapers and magazines.

From Literature

After his arrest he protested his innocence, but during his two-week trial it emerged that he was obsessed with vampires and wanted to become one in a quest for immortality.

From BBC

On Tuesday, the defense insisted on the Brazao brothers' innocence, while noting that links between local power and criminals were an open secret.

From Barron's

He maintained his innocence until his arrest 15 months later.

From BBC

Duterte's defence lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, on Monday said his client "maintained his innocence absolutely".

From Barron's