assoil

assoil
    v 1: pronounce not guilty of criminal charges; "The suspect was
         cleared of the murder charges" [syn: {acquit}, {assoil},
         {clear}, {discharge}, {exonerate}, {exculpate}] [ant:
         {convict}]
    

Assoil \As*soil"\, v. t. [OF. assoiler, absoiler, assoldre, F.
   absoudre, L. absolvere. See {Absolve}.]
   1. To set free; to release. [Archaic]
      [1913 Webster]

            Till from her hands the spright assoiled is.
                                                  --Spenser.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To solve; to clear up. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Any child might soon be able to assoil this riddle.
                                                  --Bp. Jewel.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To set free from guilt; to absolve. [Archaic]
      [1913 Webster]

            Acquitted and assoiled from the guilt. --Dr. H.
                                                  More.
      [1913 Webster]

            Many persons think themselves fairly assoiled,
            because they are . . . not of scandalous lives.
                                                  --Jer. Taylor.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To expiate; to atone for. [Archaic] --Spenser.
      [1913 Webster]

            Let each act assoil a fault.          --E. Arnold.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. To remove; to put off. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            She soundly slept, and careful thoughts did quite
            assoil.                               --Spenser.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Assoil \As*soil"\, v. t. [Pref. ad- + soil.]
   To soil; to stain. [Obs. or Poet.] --Beau. & Fl.
   [1913 Webster]

         Ne'er assoil my cobwebbed shield.        --Wordsworth.
   [1913 Webster]