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amnesty

Syllabification: (am·nes·ty)
Pronunciation: /ˈamnistē/
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Definition of amnesty

noun (plural amnesties)

  • an official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses:an amnesty for political prisoners the new law granted amnesty to those who illegally left the country
  • an undertaking by the authorities to take no action against specified offenses or offenders during a fixed period:a month-long weapons amnesty

verb (amnesties, amnestying, amnestied)

[with object]
  • grant an official pardon to:the guerrillas would be amnestied and allowed to return to civilian life

Origin:

late 16th century: via Latin from Greek amnēstia 'forgetfulness'

amnesty in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of amnesty in the British & World English dictionary

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