Ab"so*lu`tist (&?;), n. 1. One who is in favor of an absolute or autocratic government.
2. (Metaph.) One who believes that it is possible to realize a cognition or concept of the absolute. Sir. W. Hamilton.
Ab"so*lu`tist, a. Of or pertaining to absolutism; arbitrary; despotic; as, absolutist principles.
Ab`so*lu*tis"tic (&?;), a. Pertaining to absolutism; absolutist.
Ab*sol"u*to*ry (&?;), a. [L. absolutorius, fr. absolvere to absolve.] Serving to absolve; absolving. "An absolutory sentence." Ayliffe.
Ab*solv"a*ble (&?;), a. That may be absolved.
Ab*solv"a*to*ry (&?;), a. Conferring absolution; absolutory.
Ab*solve" (#; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Absolved (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Absolving.] [L. absolvere to set free, to absolve; ab + solvere to loose. See Assoil, Solve.] 1. To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such ties as it would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce free; as, to absolve a subject from his allegiance; to absolve an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment.
Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.
Macaulay.
2. To free from a penalty; to pardon; to remit (a sin); -- said of the sin or guilt.
In his name I absolve your perjury.
Gibbon.