1. (v.) To prove or show to be just; to vindicate; to maintain or defend as conformable to law, right, justice, propriety, or duty.

2. (v.) To pronounce free from guilt or blame; to declare or prove to have done that which is just, right, proper, etc.; to absolve; to exonerate; to clear.

3. (v.) To treat as if righteous and just; to pardon; to exculpate; to absolve.

4. (v.) To prove; to ratify; to confirm.

5. (v.) To make even or true, as lines of type, by proper spacing; to adjust, as type. See Justification, 4.

6. (v. i.) To form an even surface or true line with something else; to fit exactly.

7. (v. i.) To take oath to the ownership of property sufficient to qualify one's self as bail or surety.

absolve account account for acquit allow amnesty approve argue assert authenticate authorize back bear out claim clear compose confirm contend corroborate cry sour grapes decontaminate defend demonstrate destigmatize discharge dismiss dispense from do justice to exculpate excuse exempt exempt from exonerate explain explain away extenuate forgive free give absolution gloss grant amnesty to grant immunity grant remission impose legalize legitimate legitimatize legitimize let go let off make up nonpros overrun palliate pardon permit pi pi a form prove purge quash the charge rationalize rehabilitate reinstate release remit restore sanction set set free set in print shrive substantiate support sustain uphold validate verify vindicate warrant whitewash withdraw the charge