from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Exonerate \Ex*on"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Exonerated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Exonerating}.] [L. exoneratus, p. p. of
exonerare to free from a burden; ex out, from onerare to
load, onus load. See {Onerous}.]
1. To unload; to disburden; to discharge. [Obs.]
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All exonerate themselves into one common duct.
--Ray.
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2. To relieve, in a moral sense, as of a charge, obligation,
or load of blame resting on one; to clear of something
that lies upon oppresses one, as an accusation or
imputation; as, to exonerate one's self from blame, or
from the charge of avarice. --Burke.
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3. To discharge from duty or obligation, as a bail.
Syn: To absolve; acquit; exculpate. See {Absolve}.
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