absolute

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   perfect or complete or pure

   absolute loyalty

2. 2
   adj

   not limited by law

   an absolute monarch

3. 3
   adj

   expressing finality with no implication of possible change

   an absolute guarantee to respect the nation's authority

4. 4
   adj

   Free of restrictions, limitations, qualifications or conditions; unconditional.

   While Americans enjoy an almost absolute freedom to name their children whatever they please, in Germany the State (as public guardian of the good of the child) restricts parents [...]

5. 5
   adj

   Free from imperfection, perfect, complete; especially, perfectly embodying a quality in its essential characteristics or to its highest degree.

   absolute purity, absolute liberty

6. 6
   adj

   Pure, free from mixture or adulteration; unmixed.

   absolute alcohol

7. 7
   adj

   Complete, utter, outright; unmitigated, not qualified or diminished in any way.

   an absolute denial of all charges

8. 8
   adj

   Positive, certain; unquestionable; not in doubt.

   Yet if the register is not to be absolute evidence of proprietorship, it is clear that some investigation of title would still be necessary.

Etymology

First attested around 1380. From Middle English absolut, from Middle French absolut, from Latin absolūtus (“unconditional; unfettered; completed”), perfect passive participle of absolvō (“loosen, set free, complete”), from ab (“away”) + solvo (“to loose”). Influenced in part by Old French absolu. Compare absolve.