absolvatoryadj.
/əbˈzɒlvət(ə)ri/, U.S. /əbˈzɔlvəˌtɔri/, /æbˈzɔlvəˌtɔri/, /əbˈsɔlvəˌtɔri/, /æbˈsɔlvəˌtɔri/, /əbˈzɑlvəˌtɔri/, /æbˈzɑlvəˌtɔri/, /əbˈsɑlvəˌtɔri/, /æbˈsɑlvəˌtɔri/ rare.
= absolutory adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [adjective] > freeing from liability or obligation
relaxatory1581
absolvatory1611
dispensative1621
dispensatory1635
dispensing1642
laxative1645
disobligatorya1649
exonerative1819
dispensive1828
society > faith > worship > sacrament > confession > absolution > [adjective]
absolutory1611
absolvatory1611
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Absolutoire, absoluatorie, pardoning, forgiving.
1681 J. Dalrymple Modus Litigandi 41 They [sc. the Lords] pronounce Decreet condemnatory, or absolvatory, according as they find proven or not proven by the Probation.
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Absolvatory, belonging to a discharge or Requital.
1805 J. Sansom Lett. from Europe II. xix. 22 The absolvatory penance of grievous Sinners..was commuted with courtly indulgence, by Leo the Great.
1896 H. C. Lea Hist. Auricular Confession in Lat. Church I. vi. 90 In a Maronite Ordo the propitiatory and absolvatory power of the sacrifice is fully expressed.
1972 H. Procter-Gregg Sir Thomas Beecham 133 Tommy, launched upon his own face-saving harangue, vouchsafed him merely an absolvatory wave of the hand.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1611