Chapter Absent to Abstain of A by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

6. Positive; clear; certain; not doubtful. [R.]

I am absolute 't was very Cloten.
Shak.

7. Authoritative; peremptory. [R.]

The peddler stopped, and tapped her on the head,
With absolute forefinger, brown and ringed.
Mrs. Browning.

8. (Chem.) Pure; unmixed; as, absolute alcohol.

9. (Gram.) Not immediately dependent on the other parts of the sentence in government; as, the case absolute. See Ablative absolute, under Ablative.

Absolute curvature (Geom.), that curvature of a curve of double curvature, which is measured in the osculating plane of the curve. — Absolute equation (Astron.), the sum of the optic and eccentric equations. — Absolute space (Physics), space considered without relation to material limits or objects. — Absolute terms. (Alg.), such as are known, or which do not contain the unknown quantity. Davies & Peck. — Absolute temperature (Physics), the temperature as measured on a scale determined by certain general thermo-dynamic principles, and reckoned from the absolute zero. — Absolute zero (Physics), the be ginning, or zero point, in the scale of absolute temperature. It is equivalent to -273° centigrade or - 459.4° Fahrenheit.

Syn. — Positive; peremptory; certain; unconditional; unlimited; unrestricted; unqualified; arbitrary; despotic; autocratic.

Absolute
(Ab"so*lute) n. (Geom.) In a plane, the two imaginary circular points at infinity; in space of three dimensions, the imaginary circle at infinity.

Absolutely
(Ab"so*lute*ly), adv. In an absolute, independent, or unconditional manner; wholly; positively.

Absoluteness
(Ab"so*lute*ness), n. The quality of being absolute; independence of everything extraneous; unlimitedness; absolute power; independent reality; positiveness.

Absolution
(Ab`so*lu"tion) n. [F. absolution, L. absolutio, fr. absolvere to absolve. See Absolve.]

1. An absolving, or setting free from guilt, sin, or penalty; forgiveness of an offense. "Government . . . granting absolution to the nation." Froude.

2. (Civil Law) An acquittal, or sentence of a judge declaring and accused person innocent. [Obs.]

3. (R. C. Ch.) The exercise of priestly jurisdiction in the sacrament of penance, by which Catholics believe the sins of the truly penitent are forgiven.

In the English and other Protestant churches, this act regarded as simply declaratory, not as imparting forgiveness.

4. (Eccl.) An absolving from ecclesiastical penalties, — for example, excommunication. P. Cyc.

5. The form of words by which a penitent is absolved. Shipley.

6. Delivery, in speech. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Absolution day (R. C. Ch.), Tuesday before Easter.

Absolutism
(Ab"so*lu`tism) n.