Ac‐quit″, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Acquitted; p. pr. & vb. n.Acquitting.] [OE. aquiten, OF. aquiter, F. acquitter; � (L. ad) + OF. quiter, F. quitter, to quit. See Quit, and cf. Acquiet.] 1. To discharge, as a claim or debt; to clear off; to pay off; to requite.
A responsibility that can never be absolutely acquitted.
I. Taylor.
2. To pay for; to atone for. Shak.
3. 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.
4. Reflexively: (a) To clear one's self. Shak. (b) To bear or conduct one's self; to perform one's part; as, the soldier acquitted himself well in battle; the orator acquitted himself very poorly.
Syn. — To absolve; clear; exonerate; exonerate; exculpate; release; discharge. See Absolve.