English Explanatory Dictionary

innocence

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Absence of responsibility for a crime, tort, etc.
  2. Lack of understanding about sensitive subjects such as sexuality and crime.
  3. Lack of ability or intention to harm or damage.
  4. Imbecility; mental deficiency.

Pronunciation

/ˈɪnəsn̩s/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-innocence.wav

Word forms

innocence innocences

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English innocence, from Old French innocence, inocence, from Latin innocentia. Doublet of innocency. Displaced native Old English unsċyld.

Synonyms

blamelessness cleanness inculpability innocence innocency guiltlessness unguilt naivety unworldliness harmlessness innocuity idiocy moronity

Antonyms

guilt blameworthiness culpability guiltiness noninnocence uninnocence harmfulness nocence

Related words

innocent innocency clean hands innocently

Derived words

lesser baby innocence noninnocence presumption of innocence pseudoinnocence
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on I Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary