ABSOLUTION • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Absolution

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/ˌæbsəlˈuʃən/ Listen

noun

Absolution n.

An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness of an offense. "Government... granting absolution to the nation."

(Civil Law) An acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring and accused person innocent. (Obs.)

(R. C. Ch.) The exercise of priestly jurisdiction in the sacrament of penance, by which Catholics believe the sins of the truly penitent are forgiven. Note: In the English and other Protestant churches, this act regarded as simply declaratory, not as imparting forgiveness.

(Eccl.) An absolving from ecclesiastical penalties, for example, excommunication.

The form of words by which a penitent is absolved.

Delivery, in speech. (Obs.)

Absolution day (R. C. Ch.), Tuesday before Easter.

See images of 'Absolution'

Etymology of 'Absolution'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Absolution" Quotes from Famous Books

... Africa when they saw some of their priests dragged away to martyrdom. The author says they flocked about them in great numbers and cried out: "Alas! if you leave us so, what will become of us? Who must give us absolution for our sins? Who must bury us with the wonted ceremonies of the Church when we are dead? and who will take care to pray for our souls?" Such a general belief they had in those days, that nothing is more to be desired in this ...

— Purgatory • Mary Anne Madden Sadlier

... of the Eumenides is, as I have already said, the justification of Orestes, and his absolution from blood-guiltiness: it is a trial, but a trial where the accusers and the defenders and the presiding judges are gods. And the manner in which the subject is treated corresponds with its majesty and importance. The scene itself brought before the eyes of the Greeks all the highest objects ...

— Lectures on Dramatic Art - and Literature • August Wilhelm Schlegel trans John Black

... about him, and the bending faces grew remote; but as he forced his weak voice once more to proclaim his sins he felt the blessed touch of absolution, and the holy oils of the last voyage laid on his lips and eyes. Peace returned to him then, and with it a great longing to look once more upon his lauds, as he had dreamed of doing at his last hour; but he was too far gone to make this longing known, and so tried to banish ...

— The Hermit and the Wild Woman and Other Stories • Edith Wharton

... glorified brethren, and also carry help and consolation to our suffering brethren. One thing alone bars us from this glorious communion and shuts heaven against us, and that is sin. But in the Church there is provided for repentant sinners the Absolution from Sins, the remission of sin and its penalty. When we finally die in the grace of God our soul shall enjoy eternal life, and our glorified body shall be joined to it on the great ...

— The Excellence of the Rosary - Conferences for Devotions in Honor of the Blessed Virgin • M. J. Frings

... a formal vote to return to the obedience of the Papal See; on the assurance of Pole in the Pope's name that holders of Church lands should not be disturbed in their possession the statutes abolishing Papal jurisdiction in England were repealed; and Lords and Commons received on their knees an absolution which freed the realm from the guilt incurred ...

— History of the English People - Volume 4 (of 8) • John Richard Green

More quotes...