Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Innocence

In′no-cence

,
Noun.
[F.
innocence
, L.
innocentia
. See
Innocent
.]
1.
The state or quality of being innocent; freedom from that which is harmful or infurious; harmlessness.
2.
The state or quality of being morally free from guilt or sin; purity of heart; blamelessness.
The silence often of pure
innocence

Persuades when speaking fails.
Shakespeare
Banished from man’s life his happiest life,
Simplicity and spotless
innocence
!
Milton.
3.
The state or quality of being not chargeable for, or guilty of, a particular crime or offense;
as, the
innocence
of the prisoner was clearly shown
.
Syn. – Harmlessness; innocuousness; blamelessness; purity; sinlessness; guiltlessness.

Webster 1828 Edition


Innocence

IN'NOCENCE


Definition 2024


innocence

innocence

English

Noun

innocence (countable and uncountable, plural innocences)

  1. Absence of responsibility for a crime.
    Her attorney managed to convince the jury of her innocence.
  2. Lack of understanding about sensitive subjects such as sexuality and crime.
    • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 9, in The China Governess:
      Eustace gaped at him in amazement. When his urbanity dropped away from him, as now, he had an innocence of expression which was almost infantile. It was as if the world had never touched him at all.
    In his innocence, he offered the stranger to bring the package to Paris, never suspecting it contained drugs.
  3. Lack of ability or intention to harm or damage.
    Tests have demonstrated the innocence of this substance.

Antonyms

  • (absence of responsibility for a crime): guilt
  • (absence of ability to harm): harmfulness

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations


French

Etymology

Old French inocence, from Latin innocentia.

Noun

innocence f (plural innocences)

  1. innocence

Related terms