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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Acquite, v. Forms: acqwyte, a(c)quyt, acquyit, aquite, aquyte, P.t. and p.p. acquyt(e, acqwyt, acqwit, acquit(t; acquate. [ME. acwiten (c 1225), aquiten, OF. aquiter, late L. acquietāre: see Acquiet v.]

1. tr. To exempt or withdraw (oneself). 1375 Barb. xviii. 74.
We acquyt vs vtirly, That nane of vs will stand to ficht Ib. xix. 237.
He send and acquyt hym all planly, And gaf the trewis wp oppinly

2. To clear or free (oneself or another) from a charge; to declare innocent; to acquit. a1400 Leg. S. xxvi. 829.
The Iug(e) thane The athe gaf to the cristine mane Til aquyt hyme that he nocht tuke c1420 Wynt. viii. 1233.
He … acqwyt hym halyly That off nane ill succudry … He usurpyd than the crown Ib. ix. 1160.
Tharoff I dare me welle acqwyte 14.. Acts I. 24/2.
Thruch the athis of xii men … he sall aquyte hym [L. se purgabit] c1515 Asl. MS. I. 182/7.
The reward takin oblissis the takere and acquytis the giffare of his bounte 15.. Clar. iii. 677.
I may ȝow never acquite … ; Rewardis I have none 1567 Acts III. 28/1.
That the saidis Erlis … salbe innocent, fre, and acquyte of the samin [offences] 1591 Reg. Privy C. IV. 688.
[These assizers] acquate the saidis personis of the said slauchter 1624 Melrose P. 556.
Thay haif abiddin thair tryall, and bene acquate of all crymes

3 = Acquiet v. 1, Acquit v. 1. 1396 Wemyss Chart. II. 24.
The forsaids tha landys … agane al dedelyke sal warand, aquyte, and defend

4. To pay off, requite, repay. 1513 Doug. xi. i. 12.
As victor he … With sacryfyce can hys vowys acquyte 1531 Bell. Boece I. 229.
That thay may acquite thair deith a1585 Maitl. Q. xlviii. 149.
My dowbill deling be disdaine Acquyt, & pay me hame againe 1608 Highland P. III. 110.
Having na uthir thing ȝit to acquyt ȝour hienes favouris 1622 Melrose P. 471.
If I suld stryve … to acqyte thame … by wordis only 1677 Red Bk. Grandtully III. 233.
A Christmas Feast may be acquyt at Pasche

b. intr. To make requital. a1605 Montg. Misc. P. x. 43.
He … can as caus requyrs acquyt, As ill with ill, and good with good

5. refl. To acquit or discharge (oneself) of a duty, etc. 1641 Acts V. (1817) 517/2.
[The earl] hath worthilie acquate [v.r. acquite] himselfe of the great place and trust was putt vpon him