[f. ASSOIL v. + -MENT; perh. a. AF. *assoillement.]
1. The action or condition of absolution from sin, guilt, censure or accusation.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. viii. 51. They did absolue him; but … this assoilement was not so much the Epilogue of his olde, as the Prologue of his new Tragicall vexations.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., 12. Assoilment from guilt.
c. 1840. De Quincey, Autobiog. Sk., Wks. II. 102. To win for me … a station of purification and assoilment.
† 2. Discharge, acquittal (of a duty). Obs.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., III. xvii. 73. It is a sufficient assoilment of this part of his duty.
† 3. Solution of a difficulty; reconciliation of conflicting statements. Obs.
a. 1679. T. Goodwin, Wks., 1863, V. 460. The second part of this assoilment or reconciliation of Haggai and Paul.
¶ Catachr. for: Soil, defilement.
1876. Farrar, Marlb. Serm., xxv. 249. He will cleanse from your repentant souls this daily assoilment of unwilling sin.
