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

/ -trɪ, æbˈsɒljʊtərɪ, 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

Other Word Forms

• nonabsolution noun
• absolutory adjective

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

The hour begins with a long confession and ends with absolution — for Mare, who at last forgives herself, and for a boy guilty of murder who shouldn’t have to lose his innocence.

From Salon

Unlike all those other Aronofsky characters, who must annihilate themselves in search of absolution or perfection, Hank will probably be okay.

From Salon

It’s also a tortuous kink in his road to absolution.

From Salon

Still, Isaacs doesn't believe a full absolution of Gibson's sins is appropriate.

From Salon

David Corn of Mother Jones has been a real hero in resisting this false claim, which gets invoked to this day by never-Trump Republicans seeking absolution.

From Salon

Related Words

• forgiveness