absolution

American  

[ab-suh-loo-shuhn] / ˌæb səˈlu ʃən /

noun

1. act of absolving; a freeing from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties.

2. state of being absolved.

3. Roman Catholic Theology.

   1. a remission of sin or of the punishment for sin, made by a priest in the sacrament of penance on the ground of authority received from Christ.

   2. the formula declaring such remission.

4. Protestant Theology. a declaration or assurance of divine forgiveness to penitent believers, made after confession of sins.

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absolution British  

/ -trɪ, æbˈsɒljʊtərɪ, ˌæbsəˈluːʃən /

noun

1. the act of absolving or the state of being absolved; release from guilt, obligation, or punishment

2. Christianity

   1. a formal remission of sin pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance

   2. the prescribed form of words granting such a remission

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Other Word Forms

• absolutory adjective
• nonabsolution noun

Etymology

Origin of absolution

1175–1225; Middle English absolucion < Latin absolūtiōn- (stem of absolūtiō ) acquittal. See absolute, -ion

Example Sentences

She leaned in and whispered an absolution: You are not a prisoner anymore.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike all those other Aronofsky characters, who must annihilate themselves in search of absolution or perfection, Hank will probably be okay.

From Salon

Still, Isaacs doesn't believe a full absolution of Gibson's sins is appropriate.

From Salon

While absolution is central to Welby's lifelong faith, his forgiveness of Smyth may sit uncomfortably with some survivors, who have accused him of failing to engage with them.

From BBC

For some, procrastination until the precipice of death inevitably led to a rather stressful process of deathbed absolution.

From Salon

Related Words

• forgiveness