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Glite Dictionary
acquittance

acquittance

9.9
A written paper that shows a debt has been paid
  • noun
  • /əˈkwɪtəns/
  • Specialized
translation icon : recibo
  • Please keep this acquittance as proof that the loan has been fully settled.

Examples

  • Boyet, you can produce acquittances for such a sum.

    Love's Labour's Lost (2000)

  • "The burden had been borne by Christ, whose blood issued in 'acquittance' for sinners."

    Academic text (2006)

  • The landlord issued an acquittance to confirm that the tenant had paid all the rent due.

  • After settling his debts, he received an acquittance stating that he owed nothing more.

Synonyms

release
vsacquittance
  • Formal
59 5.5

A document that gives up a right or claim

is specifically about certifying discharge of a debt or obligation in writing
quittance
vsacquittance
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A paper that shows you have paid a debt

is the legal written form that certifies the same discharge

Surface Forms

acquittance singular
acquittances plural

Morphology

acquittance = acquit (semi-transparent) = acquit + ance

The suffix '-ance' forms a noun indicating the action or process of acquitting, but the specific legal document meaning is specialized.

Etymology

Acquittance comes from old words that mean 'free' or 'at rest', such as the Latin root quietus and the Old French verb acquitter meaning 'to make free'. So an acquittance is a written paper that shows you have been 'freed' from a debt.