I. əˈkwit also aˈ-; usu -id.+V transitive verb
( acquitted ; acquitted ; acquitting ; acquits )
Etymology: Middle English aquiten, from Old French aquiter, from a- (from Latin ad- ) + quite acquitted, free of, tranquil — more at quit
1.
a. archaic : to pay off (as a claim or debt)
b. obsolete : to pay back (something done for or to one) : repay , requite
2.
a. obsolete : to set free (as by ransoming)
b. obsolete : to free or rid (oneself) of anything
c. : to discharge completely (as from an obligation or accusation)
the court acquitted the prisoner
acquit a man of liability
3. : to perform (one's part) or conduct (oneself) usually satisfactorily
in their first battle the recruits acquitted themselves like veterans
Synonyms: see behave , exculpate
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, short for acquited, past participle of acquiten
archaic : acquitted : set free : rid
to be acquit fro my continual smart — Edmund Spenser