First Known Use: 1580
Dictionary
amnesty
noun am·nes·ty \ˈam-nə-stē\
: a decision that a group of people will not be punished or that a group of prisoners will be allowed to go free
plural am·nes·ties
Full Definition of AMNESTY
: the act of an authority (as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals
— amnesty transitive verb
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Origin of AMNESTY
Greek amnēstia forgetfulness, from amnēstos forgotten, from a- + mnasthai to remember — more at mind
Related to AMNESTY
- Synonyms
- absolution, pardon, forgiveness, remission, remittal
- Antonyms
- penalty, punishment, retribution
Other Government and Politics Terms
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