Search the Dictionary

or of law; that which constitutes legal or moral duty. A tender conscience is a stronger obligation than a proson. Fuller.

Release from obligation. Jer. Taylor.

To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such ties as it would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce free; as, to absolve a subject from his allegiance; to absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment. Halifa…

Gratuitous discharge; a release from debt or obligation without payment; free remission.

To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor, the receipt of a letter. They his gifts acknowledged none. Milton.

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.

The act of acquitting; discharge from debt or obligation; acquittance.

The clearing off of debt or obligation; a release or discharge from debt or other liability.

The tie or obligation, implied or expressed, which a subject owes to his sovereign or government; the duty of fidelity to one's king, government, or state.

To be or act in compliance with, in fulfillment or satisfaction of, as an order, obligation, demand; as, he answered my claim upon him; the servant answered the bell. This proud king . . . studies day and night To answer all the debts he owes unto you. Shak.

One who maintains that, under the gospel dispensation, the moral law is of no use or obligation, but that faith alone is necessary to salvation. The sect of Antinomians originated with John Agricola, in Germany, about the year 1535. Mosheim.

mildness. "Asperity of character." Landor. It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received. Johnson.

The act of binding; restriction; also, obligation. Milton.

To bind by moral or legal obligation. Wolsey.

A bond or obligation given by a prisoner and his surety, to insure the prisoner's appearance in court, at the return of the writ.

full surrender of his property, and is free from fraud, may be discharged from the legal obligation of his debts. See Insolvent, a.

To bring (any one) under definite legal obligations; esp. under the obligation of a bond or covenant. Abbott.

Moral or political duty or obligation. I love your majesty According to my bond, nor more nor less. Shak.

Obligation; tie of duty. He must resolve by no means to be . . . brought under the bondage of onserving oaths. South.

Under legal or moral restraint or obligation.