/ ˈæmnəsti; NAmE / noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ C , usually sing. , U ] an official statement that allows people who have been put in prison for crimes against the state to go free :
The president granted a general amnesty for all political prisoners.
2.
[ C , usually sing. ] a period of time during which people can admit to a crime or give up weapons without being punished :
2 000 knives have been handed in during the month-long amnesty.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: via Latin from Greek amnēstia forgetfulness.