[ad. L. exonerātiōn-em, n. of action f. exonerāre: see prec.] The action of exonerating.
† 1. The action of discharging or relieving the contents of the bowels, etc.; evacuation; the action of disburdening nature. Const. of. Obs.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. vi. 24. Some [appetites] are born with men; as … Appetite of excretion, and exoneration.
1701. Grew, Cosmol. Sacra, III. iv. 116. The Body … is adapted unto Eating, Drinking, Nutrition, Coition, and other ways of Repletion and Exoneration.
1727. A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., I. xi. 123. In each Cabbin, is a Kitchin and a Place for Exoneration.
1784. Henley, in Beckford’s Vathek (1868), 137, note. The ablution and prayer indispensably required on the exoneration of nature.
2. The action of disburdening or relieving, or the state of being relieved from a duty, office, obligation, payment, etc.; also, from blame or reproach; an instance of this, a formal discharge. Const. of. In Sc. Law: see EXONER.
1640–1. Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855), 90. And the coppie thairof delyverit to thame for thair exoneratione.
1641. in Rushw., Hist. Coll., III. (1692), I. 372. To receive account of all Commissions granted … and grant Exonerations thereupon.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 211. An act concerning the exoneration of the Kings subjects from exactions and impositions.
1676. W. Row, Contn. Blair’s Autobiog., x. (1848), 229. Papers had been prepared by the Commissioners of Estate and Kirk for their exoneration.
1866. Times, 6 Aug., 1/2. Advt., A Process of Multiplepoinding and Exoneration has been instituted.
