acquit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
    exculpate; clear; discharge; assoil; exonerate.
    • The suspect was cleared of the murder charges
  2. verb behave in a certain manner
    comport; bear; behave; conduct; carry; deport.
    • She carried herself well
    • he bore himself with dignity
    • They conducted themselves well during these difficult times

WordNet

Ac*quit" past participle
Definitions
  1. Acquitted; set free; rid of. Archaic Shak.
Ac*quit" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. aquiten, OF. aquiter, F. acquitter; (L. ad) + OF. quiter, F. quitter, to quit. See Quit, and cf. Acquiet.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Acquitted; present participle & verbal noun Acquitting
Definitions
  1. To discharge, as a claim or debt; to clear off; to pay off; to requite.
    A responsibility that can never be absolutely acquitted. I. Taylor.
  2. To pay for; to atone for. Obs. Shak.
  3. To set free, release or discharge from an obligation, duty, liability, burden, or from an accusation or charge; -- now followed by of before the charge, formerly by from; as, the jury acquitted the prisoner; we acquit a man of evil intentions.
  4. Reflexively: (a) To clear one's self.k. (b) To bear or conduct one's self; to perform one's part; as, the soldier acquitted himself well in battle; the orator acquitted himself very poorly. Syn. -- To absolve; clear; exonerate; exonerate; exculpate; release; discharge. See Absolve.

Webster 1913