INNOCENT

a. n.

8 definitions — Webster’s Dictionary (1828)


1.
a.

Not harmful; free from that which can injure; innoxious; innocuous; harmless; as, an innocent medicine or remedy. The spear Sung innocent,and spent its force in air. Pope.

2.
a.

Morally free from guilt; guiltless; not tainted with sin; pure; upright. To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb. Shak. I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. Matt. xxvii. 4. The aidless,innocent lady, his wished prey. Milton.

3.
a.

Free from the guilt of a particular crime or offense; as, a man is innocent of the crime charged. Innocent from the great transgression. Ps. xix. 13.

4.
a.

Simple; artless; foolish. Shak.

5.
a.

Lawful; permitted; as, an innocent trade.

6.
a.

Not contraband; not subject to forfeiture; as, innocent goods carried to a belligerent nation. Innocent party (Law),a party who has not notice of a fact tainting a litigated transaction with illegality.

7.
n.

An innocent person; one free from, or unacquainted with, guilt or sin. Shak.

8.
n.

An unsophisticated person; hence, a child; a simpleton; an idiot. B. Jonson. In Scotland a natural fool was called an innocent. Sir W. Scott. Innocents' day (Eccl.), Childermas day.


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