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DictionaryRoot: ab-
Latin

ab-

away, off, from

Forms

  • ab-
  • abs- — Expanded Latin form, especially before t.
  • a- — Shortened in some Latin compounds.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *apo, ‘away; off.’

Note

The Greek prefix apo- is a relative from the same older source, not a borrowing from Latin.

34 / 57
A Black judge calmly releases a wrongly blamed person's file while that person stands relieved, no readable markings.
verb

absolve

ub-ZOLV/əbˈzɑːlv/

To free someone from blame or responsibility.

Etymology
abLatinaway, off, from
+solveLatinloosen or release

The image of “loosening away” underlies release from an oath or obligation and legal acquittal. To absolve people is to free them from blame or the consequences of their actions.

Full entry

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