Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):
   • To absolve or acquit; to pronounce free from guilt or blame, especially in a legal or moral sense. This is the primary and now largely archaic or literary meaning.
   • To atone for or expiate (a sin). An older, now obsolete meaning related to cleansing from sin.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:
  • The court's final verdict was to assoil the accused of all charges. (The court declared the accused not guilty.)
  • (Archaic) He sought the priest's blessing to assoil his transgressions. (He sought forgiveness for his sins.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is rarely used in modern English outside of historical, literary, or poetic contexts. When used, it often carries a formal, solemn, or archaic tone.
• It can be found in older legal or religious texts, such as:

Variants and Related Words

• Absolve (verb): To set free from guilt, obligation, or punishment. This is the most common modern synonym.
• Acquit (verb): To declare not guilty of a criminal charge.
• Exonerate (verb): To absolve from blame for a fault or wrongdoing.
• Pardon (verb/noun): To forgive or excuse an offense; an official release from legal punishment.

Synonyms

• Clear: To free from accusation or blame.
• Exculpate: To show or declare that someone is not guilty of wrongdoing.
• Vindicate: To clear from blame or suspicion.

Antonyms

• Convict: To declare guilty of a criminal offense.
• Condemn: To express complete disapproval of; to sentence to punishment.
• Accuse: To charge someone with an offense or crime.

Notes

• "Assoil" is considered an archaic term. In contemporary English, absolve, acquit, or exonerate are strongly preferred for clarity.
• Its use today is primarily stylistic, intended to evoke an older period or a formal, religious atmosphere.

Verb

1. pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
   • The suspect was cleared of the murder charges