ad-

to, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

Forms

ad-
ac- — Used before c in Latin.
af- — Used before f in Latin.
ag- — Used before g in Latin.
al- — Used before l in Latin.
ap- — Used before p in Latin.
ar- — Used before r in Latin.
as- — Used before s in Latin.
at- — Used before t in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ad, ‘to; near.’

Note

Later Latin-based spellings sometimes restored consonants that had disappeared in French.

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verb

acquit

uh-KWIT/əˈkwɪt/

To find someone not guilty of a criminal charge.

The jury acquits the defendant after reviewing the evidence.

Judge formally dismisses case with open releasing gesture; defendant's wrist restraints are removed by cropped court officer hands and he stands relieved beside attorney.

Etymology

acLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

+quitLatinat rest, undisturbed, or free from an obligation

The root meant free or at rest, including being free from debts. A verb for settling a claim and releasing someone from an obligation came to mean clearing an accused person of charges.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain365:32

a disloyal spying and eavesdropping in order to satisfy an illicit curiosity but of that Mr Colmore I acquit you

1920s Fiction: Arthur Conan Doyle - Tales of Terror (Audiobook)

More examples

She was acquitted of all charges.
The court cannot acquit him merely because the case is unpopular.
The verdict acquitting both defendants brought the trial to an end.

Forms

acquit · acquits · acquitted · acquitting

acquittal noun — A formal finding that someone is not guilty.

Similar words

exonerate: Can clear blame outside a criminal trial as well.
pardon: Forgives an offense rather than finding someone not guilty.