Ab*solve" (#; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Absolved (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Absolving.] [L. absolvere to set free, to absolve; ab + solvere to loose. See Assoil, Solve.] 1. To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such ties as it would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce free; as, to absolve a subject from his allegiance; to absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment.

Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.
Macaulay.

2. To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); -- said of the sin or guilt.

In his name I absolve your perjury.
Gibbon.

3. To finish; to accomplish. [Obs.]

The work begun, how soon absolved.
Milton.

4. To resolve or explain. [Obs.] "We shall not absolve the doubt." Sir T. Browne.

Syn. -- To Absolve, Exonerate, Acquit. We speak of a man as absolved from something that binds his conscience, or involves the charge of wrongdoing; as, to absolve from allegiance or from the obligation of an oath, or a promise. We speak of a person as exonerated, when he is released from some burden which had rested upon him; as, to exonerate from suspicion, to exonerate from blame or odium. It implies a purely moral acquittal. We speak of a person as acquitted, when a decision has been made in his favor with reference to a specific charge, either by a jury or by disinterested persons; as, he was acquitted of all participation in the crime.

• (transitive) To set free, release or discharge (from obligations, debts, responsibility etc.)
        To absolve a subject from his allegiance.
       
• 1855: Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James II, volume III, chapter XIV - Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.
  
• (transitive) To pronounce free from or give absolution for a penalty, blame, sin or guilt; to pardon; to remit.
       
• 1782: Edward Gibbon, History Of The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire, volume VI, chapter LXVII - In his name I absolve your perjury and sanctify your arms.
  
• (transitive) (obsolete) To finish; to accomplish.
       
• (RQ:Milton Lost 1674, 7)-94 - The work begun, how soon / absolved.
  
• (obsolete) To resolve or explain.
       
• 1646: Sir Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica VI-x - We shall not absolve the doubt.