Word: acquit Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English aquī̆ten (“to give in return; to pay, repay; to redeem (a pledge, security), to make good (a promise); to make amends; to relieve of an obligation; to acquit, clear of a charge; to free; to deprive of; to do one's part, acquit oneself; to act, behave (in a certain way)”), from Old French aquiter (“to act, do”) and Medieval Latin acquitāre (“to settle a debt”), from ad- (“to”) + quitare (“to free”), equivalent to a- + quit. Doublet of acquiet; also related to quit, quiet and acquiesce. Pronunciation: /əˈkwɪt/ 1. To declare or find innocent or not guilty. Labels: transitive Example: [W]hen God ſaith of himſelfe, that he is one who acquiting will not acquite the wicked, his meaning is, that whatſoeuer may be ſuppoſed becauſe of his patience, yet he will not fully and finally diſcharge thoſe who goe on ſtill in their vngodly courſes, and preſume vpon his Mercy, without repentance. Example: But gently could his passion entertaine, / Though she Love's princesse, he a lowly swaine. / First of his bold intrusion she acquites him, / Then to her service (happy Boy!) admits him, / And, like another Love, with bow and quiver fits him. 2. To discharge (for example, a claim or debt); to clear off, to pay off; to fulfil. Labels: transitive Example: Although it pleaſed you this other night (occasion by me unhappily miniſtred) to intertaine time with an ordinarie profeſſion of love, yet (maſter Rinaldo) you doe both me and your ſelfe great injurie to continue your needleſſe labour with ſuch importunancie to me. […] Thus muche (being your firſte attempt) I thought it good to anſwere, leaſt you ſhould think with needleſſe niceneſſe I acquited your courteſies. Example: Midst foes (as champion of the faith) he ment / That palme or cypress should his paines acquite; […] 3. to discharge, release, or set free from a burden, duty, liability, or obligation, or from an accusation or charge. Labels: transitive Example: The jury acquitted the prisoner of the charge. Example: Jerome. Object to Antonio? I have said it; his poverty, can you acquit him of that? / Ferd[inand]. Sir, I own he is not over rich; but he is of as ancient and honourable a family, as any in the kingdom. 4. To bear or conduct oneself; to perform one's part. Labels: reflexive Example: The soldier acquitted herself well in battle. Example: The orator acquitted himself very poorly. 5. To clear oneself. Labels: reflexive Example: God forbid any Malice ſhould preuayle, / That faultleſſe may condemne a Noble man: / Pray God he may acquit him of ſuſpicion. 6. past participle of acquit. Labels: archaic, form-of, participle, past, transitive Example: Well I am glad I am ſo acquit of this tinder Boy.^([sic – meaning Box]) / His ſtealth was too open, his filching was like / An vnskilfull ſinger, he kept not time. 7. To release, to rescue, to set free. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: But be of cheare, and comfort to you take: / For till I haue acquitt your captiue knight, / Aſſure your ſelfe, I will you not forſake. 8. To pay for; to atone for. Labels: obsolete, rare, transitive Example: For me I am the miſtreſſe of my fate, / And with my treſpaſſe neuer will diſpence, / Till life to death acquit my forſt offence.