acquittance

noun

ac·​quit·​tance ə-ˈkwi-tᵊn(t)s How to pronounce acquittance (audio)
: a document evidencing a discharge from an obligation
especially : a receipt in full

Examples of acquittance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Back in December 2005 during a violent robbery, Johnson, then 19, and an accomplice kicked in acquittance Amin Hinson's front door in broad daylight, then aimed a silver revolver at Michael Jones' head, court records show. Stephanie Pagones, Fox News, 6 Oct. 2022 In April, an influential Hubei doctor, Yu Xiangdong, was removed from a hospital management position for questioning the efficacy of the remedies, an acquittance confirmed. Dake Kang, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2020 The defense will argue that prosecutors don't have sufficient evidence tying Marsh to the attack in Wilsonville and are relying on an acquittance who implicated Marsh to gain leniency. Everton Bailey Jr., OregonLive.com, 8 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acquittance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aquitaunce "repayment, release, document showing repayment of a debt," borrowed from Anglo-French, from acquitant (present participle of aquiter "to acquit") + -aunce -ance

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acquittance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near acquittance

Cite this Entry

“Acquittance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acquittance. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

acquittance

noun
ac·​quit·​tance ə-ˈkwit-ᵊns How to pronounce acquittance (audio)
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!