assolvere

Assolvere is an Italian verb that primarily means to absolve or acquit someone, especially in a legal context. It also has a broader meaning of discharging or fulfilling a duty, obligation, or task. The noun form is assoluzione (acquittal).

In law, assolvere is used when a court or authority frees an accused person from liability or from criminal charges. The passive form essere assolto indicates that the person has been acquitted. Typical grounds for acquittal include il fatto non sussiste (the facts do not constitute the offense) or non aver commesso il fatto (not having committed the act). The term can be followed by phrases such as da un’accusa, dalle imputazioni, or a carico di qualcuno.

Etymologically, assolvere derives from Latin ad- “to” and solvere “to loosen, release,” originally conveying the sense of releasing someone from accusation or obligation. In modern usage, assolvere also appears in non-legal contexts to mean fulfilling or carrying out an obligation or duty, as in assolvere a un compito, assolvere i doveri, or assolvere un obbligo.

Usage notes: assolvere is a transitive verb that takes a direct object (assolvere qualcuno da un’accusa; assolvere un imputato). In everyday language it can describe fulfilling duties or completing tasks, not only legal exoneration. The term is common in legal documents, journalism, and formal discourse, but remains understood in general Italian.