v.
(acquits, acquitting, acquitted)
- formally declare (someone) not guilty of a criminal charge.
-
(acquit oneself)
conduct oneself or perform in a specified way:
the goalkeeper acquitted himself well.
▸
(acquit oneself of)
archaic discharge (a duty or responsibility).
Etymology
ME: from OFr. acquiter, from med. L. acquitare ‘pay a debt’, from ad- ‘to’ + quitare ‘set free’.