Verb

(disengag)

(ambitransitive) To release or loosen from something that binds, holds, entangles, or interlocks; unfasten; detach; disentangle; free.

{{quote-Fanny Hill, part=5 , Disengaging myself then from his embrace, I made him sensible of the reasons there were for his present leaving me; on which, though reluctantly, he put on his cloaths with as little expedition, however, as he could help, wantonly interrupting himself, between whiles, with kisses, touches and embraces I could not refuse myself to. }}

* 1982 , Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe, and Everything

Ford still had his hand stuck out. Arthur looked at it with incomprehension.
"Shake," prompted Ford.
Arthur did, nervously at first, as if it might turn out to be a fish. Then he grasped it vigorously with both hands in an overwhelming flood of relief. He shook it and shook it.
After a while Ford found it necessary to disengage .

Verb

To declare or find not guilty; innocent.

* '>citation

To set free, release or discharge from an obligation, duty, liability, burden, or from an accusation or charge.

The jury acquitted the prisoner ''of'' the charge.

* 1775 , , The Duenna

His poverty, can you acquit him of that?

* 1837 , , “Lord Bacon” in The Edinburgh Review , July 1837

If he [Bacon] was convicted, it was because it was impossible to acquit him without offering the grossest outrage to justice and common sense.

(obsolete, rare) To pay for; to atone for

* , line 1071

Till life to death acquit my forced offence.

To discharge, as a claim or debt; to clear off; to pay off; to requite, to fulfill.

* , 1200

‘Aquyte him wel, for goddes love,’ quod he;

* 1640 , , Tasso

Midst foes (as champion of the faith) he ment / That palme or cypress should his painees acquite .

* 1836 , , Orations I-382

I admit it to be not so much the duty as the privilege of an American citizen to acquit this obligation to the memory of his fathers with discretion and generosity.

* 1844 , ” in Essays: second series

We see young men who owe us a new world, so readily and lavishly they promise, but they never acquit the debt; they die young and dodge the account: or if they live, they lose themselves in the crowd.

(reflexive) To clear one’s self.

* , III-ii

Pray God he may acquit him of suspicion!

(reflexive) To bear or conduct one’s self; to perform one’s part.

The soldier acquitted himself well in battle.

The orator acquitted himself very poorly.

* November 2 2014 , Daniel Taylor, " Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk

Van Gaal responded by replacing Adnan Januzaj with Carrick and, in fairness, the emergency centre-half did exceedingly well given that he has not played since May. McNair also acquitted himself well after Rojo was injured sliding into a challenge with Martín Demichelis

* 1766 , , The vicar of Wakefield , xiv

Though this was one of the first mercantile transactions of my life, yet I had no doubt about acquitting myself with reputation.

(obsolete) To release, set free, rescue.

* , I-vii-52

Till I have acquit your captive Knight.

(archaic)

* , I-iii

I am glad I am so acquit of this tinder box.