Acquitted Meaning and Definition
Acquitted
Pronunciation
/əˈkwaɪtɪd/
Part of Speech
Verb
Definition
To find or declare someone or something not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing, often accompanied by a formal verdict or judgment.
Etymology
The word “acquitted” comes from the Latin “acquittare,” meaning “to set free” or “to clear of a charge.”
Additional Information
In a criminal trial, acquittal is the finding of a court of law that a defendant is not guilty of the charges brought against them. This can be a result of insufficient evidence, a lack of evidence linking the defendant to the crime, or the prosecution’s failure to prove its case. Acquittal does not necessarily imply innocence, as it only means that the prosecution has failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The concept of acquittal has also been discussed as a key aspect of the criminal justice system, highlighting the importance of ensuring the rights of defendants and upholding due process.
Usage Notes
In formal contexts, such as legal proceedings, “acquitted” is typically used in the past tense or past participle form to describe the outcome of a trial.
In informal conversations, “acquitted” can also be used as a synonym for “cleared” or “exonerated.”
Cultural References
The phrase “acquitted but not cleared” has been used in popular culture to describe the outcome of a trial where a defendant is found not guilty but may still face social repercussions or public perception of guilt.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Found not guilty
- Cleared of the charges
- Exonerated from the crime
Related Words or Phrases
- Convicted
- Guilty
- Not guilty
Collocations
- Acquitted of the charges
- Found not guilty of the crime
- Cleared of the accusation
Frequency of Use
The word “acquitted” is relatively infrequent in everyday conversation, but it is commonly used in legal and journalistic contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Acquited
- Acquitied