acquittance en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /əˈkwɪtəns/
- (US) audio
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman acquitance, Middle French aquitance, from acquiter (“to acquit”). Compare later acquittal.
Meanings
-
(countable, historical, uncountable) A writing which is evidence of a discharge; a receipt in full, which bars a further demand.
You can produce acquittances / For such a sum, from special officers.
c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
- (archaic, countable, uncountable) Payment of debt; settlement.
- (countable, historical, uncountable) The release from a debt, or from some obligation or duty; exemption.
-
(countable, obsolete, uncountable) The dismissal of a legal charge against someone; acquittal.
This was a task more difficult than that of self acquittance.
1791, Ann Radcliffe, The Romance of the Forest, Oxford, published 1999, page 82:
- (archaic, countable, uncountable) The acquittal of one's duties; the carrying out of fulfilment of a job or role.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| acquittances | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| acquittaunce | alternative | lexicographic |
Synonyms
not guilty · disculpation · acquittal · exculpation · acquittance · exoneration · absolution · vindication · assoilment · acquitment · quittance · acquitment · assoilment · absolution · compurgation