Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Absolve \Ab*solve"\ (#; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Absolved}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Absolving}.] [L. absolvere to set free, to
   absolve; ab + solvere to loose. See {Assoil}, {Solve}.]
   1. 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.

            Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.
                                                  --Macaulay.

   2. To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); --
      said of the sin or guilt.

            In his name I absolve your perjury.   --Gibbon.

   3. To finish; to accomplish. [Obs.]

            The work begun, how soon absolved.    --Milton.

   4. To resolve or explain. [Obs.] ``We shall not absolve the
      doubt.''                                    --Sir T.
                                                  Browne.

   Syn: To {Absolve}, {Exonerate}, {Acquit}.

   Usage: We speak of a man as absolved from something that
          binds his conscience, or involves the charge of
          wrongdoing; as, to absolve from allegiance or from the
          obligation of an oath, or a promise. We speak of a
          person as exonerated, when he is released from some
          burden which had rested upon him; as, to exonerate
          from suspicion, to exonerate from blame or odium. It
          implies a purely moral acquittal. We speak of a person
          as acquitted, when a decision has been made in his
          favor with reference to a specific charge, either by a
          jury or by disinterested persons; as, he was acquitted
          of all participation in the crime.

Source : WordNet®

absolve
     v 1: grant remission of a sin to; "The priest absolved him and
          told him to say ten Hail Mary's"
     2: let off the hook; "I absolve you from this responsibility"
        [syn: {justify}, {free}] [ant: {blame}]