To declare someone free from guilt, responsibility, or punishment, often by forgiving them for something wrong they did.
From Latin 'absolvere,' composed of 'ab-' (away) and 'solvere' (to loosen or release). Used in religious contexts for forgiveness and in legal/moral contexts for clearing guilt.
Absolve shares its root 'solvere' (to loosen) with 'dissolve,' 'resolve,' and 'solvent'—all involve releasing something, whether guilt, a problem, or a solid substance.
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