acquittal
acquittal
Noun
pl: acquittals
This term carries a strong sense of liberation and official clearance. In a legal sense, it is the definitive resolution of a criminal charge, signaling that the state failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It is distinct from a pardon, which forgives a crime after a conviction, whereas an acquittal prevents the conviction from happening in the first place.
In financial contexts, the word describes the complete discharge of a debt. This usage is more formal and less common in everyday speech than the legal sense, often appearing in accounting or historical legal documents to signify that a financial obligation has been fully satisfied.