acquittance

acquittance — noun

1. A formal paper, such as a receipt or a release document, that proves a debt has

1.名詞C2
釋義

A formal paper, such as a receipt or a release document, that proves a debt has been fully paid or a legal duty has been completed.

例句

After Tunde paid the last amount, the bank gave him an acquittance as proof.

The lawyer handed Nora a signed acquittance showing the loan was fully settled.

collocation: 'signed acquittance'

同義詞
  • receipt

    more general and everyday; a receipt proves money changed hands, while an acquittance proves the entire obligation is settled

  • release

    often used in legal contexts for a document that frees someone from a future claim

  • discharge certificate

    a formal document used in bankruptcy or debt-settlement proceedings

反義詞
  • invoice

    a bill requesting payment — the opposite of a document that confirms payment

  • IOU

    a written promise to pay, not proof that the debt has been cleared

文法句型

acquittance + from [obligation]

written acquittance

sign an acquittance

用法筆記

Refers to a physical or digital document. Frequently used in financial and legal settings where proof of payment or completion is required.

常見錯誤

❌I asked for an acquittance after buying the milk.
✅I asked for a receipt after buying the milk.
💡An acquittance is a formal document proving a debt is fully cleared, not a simple proof of purchase like a receipt.
❌The plumber left an acquittance for the repair work.
✅The plumber left an invoice for the repair work.
💡An acquittance shows the debt has been paid, whereas an invoice asks for payment.

2. The legal act of freeing a person or organization from a financial debt or duty,

2.名詞C2
釋義

The legal act of freeing a person or organization from a financial debt or duty, so that they no longer have to pay or perform what was previously required.

例句

The court granted Rohan acquittance from the old debt after he proved it was paid.

collocation: 'grant acquittance from'

Naoko's acquittance from the contract meant she could leave the job without paying a penalty.

同義詞
  • discharge

    the closest synonym; broader in legal use, covering both debts and duties

  • release

    common in contract law; implies freeing one party from future claims

  • exoneration

    suggests clearing someone of blame or liability, slightly stronger in moral tone

反義詞
  • obligation

    the duty or debt itself — the opposite of being freed from it

  • indebtedness

    the state of owing money, which acquittance removes

文法句型

acquittance + from [obligation/debt]

acquittance of [debt/claim]

用法筆記

This sense refers to the action or state of being released, not to a physical document. Distinguish from sense 1 (the written paper). Common in legal judgments, settlements, and bankruptcy proceedings.

常見錯誤

❌The judge gave him an acquittance for the crime.
✅The judge gave him an acquittal for the crime.
💡Acquittance relates to debts and obligations; acquittal relates to criminal charges.
❌I need an acquittance from this headache.
✅I need relief from this headache.
💡Acquittance is a legal term, not used for physical discomfort or everyday problems.