absolution
UK[ˌæbsəˈluːʃn]US[ˌæbsəˈluːʃn]
n
Formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment.
n
In Christian theology, the formal forgiveness of sins pronounced by a priest.
Morpheme Breakdown
ab
solut
ion
ab
away
solut
loosen
ion
action/state
Etymology
The word "absolution" originates from the Latin verb 'absolvere', meaning "to set free, acquit, or complete." This verb itself is a compound of 'ab-' ("away from") and 'solvere' ("to loosen, release"). The core concept is one of unbinding or releasing someone from a debt or obligation. In its journey into English via Old French, the term became specifically associated with the ecclesiastical act of releasing a person from the guilt or penalty of sin, a meaning that was later extended to more general contexts of formal forgiveness or discharge from blame.
Analysis
Structure: ab (away) + solut (loosen) + ion (action/state)
- ab: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "away, from."
- solut: From Latin 'solutus', the past participle stem of 'solvere' (to loosen, release, free).
- ion: Latin suffix '-ionem', indicating an action or resulting state.
Examples
The priest granted him absolution after a sincere confession.
The court's ruling was seen as an absolution of the company's alleged misconduct.
She sought absolution from her friend for the unintended hurt she had caused.