Main Entry:

ac·quit

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈkwit\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

ac·quit·ted; ac·quit·ting

Etymology:

Middle English aquiten, from Anglo-French aquiter, from a- (from Latin ad-) + quite free of — more at quit

Date:

13th century

1 aarchaic : to pay off (as a claim or debt) bobsolete : repay, requite2: to discharge completely (as from an obligation or accusation) <the court acquitted the prisoner>3: to conduct (oneself) usually satisfactorily especially under stress <the recruits acquitted themselves like veterans>

synonyms see behave, exculpate

— ac·quit·ter noun