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acquit

Verb

IPA /əˈkwɪt/

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Meaning in plain English

To officially decide in court that a person is not guilty of the crime they were accused of.

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Pronunciation

acquit/əˈkwɪt/

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  1. A court considers a criminal charge

  2. The evidence is examined

  3. The court returns a not-guilty decision

To acquit someone is to decide officially that they are not guilty of the charged crime.

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Examples in context

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  1. In the film, the jury acquits the driver after hearing a new witness.
  2. Our law tutor explained why the court acquitted the defendant of fraud.

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To officially decide in court that a person is not guilty of the crime they were accused of.
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acquit — To officially decide in court that a person is not guilty of the crime they were accused of.

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To officially decide in court that a person is not guilty of the crime they were accused of.

Compare: In the film, the jury acquits the driver after hearing a new witness.

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Word origin

From Old French acquiter, ultimately related to a medieval Latin verb meaning to pay a debt or set free.

Did you know?

The past tense and past participle are acquitted, with a double t.

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acquit

/əˈkwɪt/ (Verb)

“Use acquit someone of a crime. Acquittal is a court decision, not simply a person saying they are innocent.”

englishskillstudio.com