In a way that shows lack of guilt, knowledge of evil, or guile; naively or without harmful intent.
From Latin 'innocens' meaning not harmful, from 'in-' (not) and 'nocere' (to harm). The word entered English through Old French, with the adverb form developing to describe actions done without malicious intent or awareness.
Innocently often appears in contexts where its sincerity is questioned - 'she asked innocently' frequently implies the opposite. This linguistic irony reflects our sophisticated understanding that true innocence and performed innocence can look identical from the outside.
Coded as feminine/virginal trait through history; men accused of crimes claim innocence as fact, women's 'innocence' becomes virtue/sexuality marker (Madonna-whore binary).
Use for factual exoneration without virtue judgment. 'Without knowledge of X' or 'uninvolved in Y' are clearer than 'innocently'.
["unknowingly","uninvolved","exonerated from"]
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