Acquittal

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /əˈkwɪ.t(É™)l/
• US IPA: /əˈkwɪ.d(É™)l/

Origin

From acquit + -al.

Full definition of acquittal

Noun

1. (now rare) The act of fulfilling the duties (of a given role, obligation etc.). from 15th c.
2. (legal) A legal decision that someone is not guilty with which they have been charged, or the formal dismissal of a charge by some other legal process. from 15th c.
3. Payment of a debt or other obligation; reparations, amends. from 15th c.
4. (now historical) The act of releasing someone from debt or other obligation; acquittance. from 15th c.
5. (rare) Avoidance of danger; deliverance. from 17th c.

Related terms

• acquit
• justification
• innocence

Antonyms

• conviction
• condemnation