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to relieve from a charge of fault or crime; declare not guilty:
They acquitted him of the crime. The jury acquitted her, but I still think she’s guilty.
to release or discharge (a person) from an obligation.
to settle or satisfy (a debt, obligation, claim, etc.).
to bear or conduct (oneself); behave:
He acquitted himself well in battle.
to free or clear (oneself):
He acquitted himself of suspicion.
Contemporary Examples

Now that you are out, what do you really think of the system that has both convicted and acquitted you?
Knox Case’s Unsolved Mysteries Barbie Latza Nadeau October 4, 2011

Hickok was acquitted, and it caused a public outcry of injustice.
Not This Again: The Ghost of Past Injustices, From the Draft Riots to Trayvon Herb Boyd July 14, 2013

A month later, Hayee was sentenced to death for the attack, but was acquitted in appeal due to lack of evidence.
Qari Abdul Hayee Arrested in Daniel Pearl Murder Investigation Jahanzeb Aslam March 19, 2013

The woman was acquitted of perjury, which could have landed the mother of three 15 years in jail.
The Democrats’ Katherine Harris Strategy Patricia Murphy September 5, 2014

So Cain acquitted himself perfectly well tonight—people who showed up cheering for him will sleep well.
The Race for the Worst Michael Tomasky October 11, 2011

Historical Examples

The creditor loses his usury and the debtor is acquitted of his obligation.
Standard Selections Various

“acquitted by a smile from Amelia, worth all our acclamations,” said Mrs. Beaumont.
Tales And Novels, Volume 5 (of 10) Maria Edgeworth

The rehearsal ended for one day, and Carrie went home feeling that she had acquitted herself satisfactorily.
Sister Carrie Theodore Dreiser

He would like to say a few words, while there is time, to those who would have acquitted him.
Apology Plato

The others of the one hundred and thirty-one were acquitted.
A Social History of The American Negro Benjamin Brawley

verb (transitive) -quits, -quitting, -quitted
(foll by of)

to free or release (from a charge of crime)
to pronounce not guilty

(foll by of) to free or relieve (from an obligation, duty, responsibility, etc)
to repay or settle (something, such as a debt or obligation)
to perform (one’s part); conduct (oneself)
adj.

“freed, exonerated,” 1670s, past participle adjective from acquit (v.). Formerly in this sense was acquit (late 14c.), perhaps on analogy of pps. such as hit.
v.

early 13c., “to satisfy a debt” (either for oneself or on behalf of another), from Old French aquiter “pay, pay up, settle a claim” (12c.), from à “to” (see ad-) + quite “free, clear” (see quit (adj.)). Meanings “set free from charges” and “to discharge one’s duty” both recorded from late 14c. Related: Acquitted; acquitting.