ACQUIT', L. cedo.
To set free to release or discharge from an obligation, accusation, guilt, censure, suspicion, or whatever lies upon a person as a charge or duty as, the jury acquitted the prisoner we acquit a man of evil intentions. It is followed by of before the object to acquit from is obsolete. In a reciprocal sense, as, the soldier acquitted himself well in battle, the word has a like sense, implying the discharge of a duty or obligation. Hence its use in expressing excellence in performance as the orator acquitted himself well, that is, in a manner that his situation and public expectation demanded.