• IPA: /əˈkwɪtəns/

acquittance

1. (now, historical) A writing which is evidence of a discharge; a receipt in full, which bars a further demand. [from 14th c.]
   • c. 1595–1596, William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act III, scene i]:

     You can produce acquittances / For such a sum, from special officers.

2. (now, rare) Payment of debt; settlement. [from 14th c.]
3. (now, historical) The release from a debt, or from some obligation or duty; exemption. [from 14th c.]
4. (obsolete) The dismissal of a legal charge against someone; acquittal. [15th–19th c.]
   • 1791, Ann Radcliffe, The Romance of the Forest, Oxford 1999, p. 82:

     This was a task more difficult than that of self acquittance.

5. (now, rare) The acquittal of one's duties; the carrying out of fulfilment of a job or role. [from 17th c.]

acquittance (acquittances, present participle acquittancing; past and past participle acquittanced)

1. (transitive, obsolete) To acquit.