acquittance

English

Alternative forms

• acquittaunce (obsolete)

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman acquitance, Middle French aquitance, from acquiter (“to acquit”). Compare later acquittal.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əˈkwɪtəns/

Noun

acquittance (countable and uncountable, plural acquittances)

1. (now historical) A writing which is evidence of a discharge; a receipt in full, which bars a further demand. [from 14th c.]
   • c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:

     You can produce acquittances / For such a sum, from special officers.

2. (now rare) Payment of debt; settlement. [from 14th c.]
3. (now historical) The release from a debt, or from some obligation or duty; exemption. [from 14th c.]
4. (obsolete) The dismissal of a legal charge against someone; acquittal. [15th–19th c.]
   • 1791, Ann Radcliffe, The Romance of the Forest, Oxford, published 1999, page 82:

     This was a task more difficult than that of self acquittance.

5. (now rare) The acquittal of one's duties; the carrying out of fulfilment of a job or role. [from 17th c.]

Verb

acquittance (third-person singular simple present acquittances, present participle acquittancing, simple past and past participle acquittanced)

1. (transitive, obsolete) To acquit.

References

• “acquittance”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.