Acquit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acquitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acquitting.]
Etymology: [OE. aquiten, OF. aquiter, F. acquitter; (L. ad) + OF. quiter, F. quitter, to quit. See Quit, and cf. Acquiet.]
1. To discharge, as a claim or debt; to clear off; to pay off; to requite. A responsibility that can never be absolutely acquitted. I. Taylor.
2. To pay for; to atone for. [Obs.] Shak.
3. To set free, release or discharge from an obligation, duty, liability, burden, or from an accusation or charge; -- now followed by of before the charge, formerly by from; as, the jury acquitted the prisoner; we acquit a man of evil intentions.
4. Reflexively: (a) To clear one's self.k. (b) To bear or conduct one's self; to perform one's part; as, the soldier acquitted himself well in battle; the orator acquitted himself very poorly.
1 more senses
Syn. -- To absolve; clear; exonerate; exonerate; exculpate; release; discharge. See Absolve.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Acquit, p. p.
Acquitted; set free; rid of. [Archaic] Shak.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for acquit; he lists it under absolve, pardon.
Where he writes about it:
pardoneth and absolveth all those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy Gospel." Book of Common Prayer, Declar. of Absol. To acquit of sin or crime is to free from the accusation of it, pronouncing one guiltless; the innocent are rightfully acquitted; the guilty may be mercifully absolved. — from absolve