INNOCENCE

artlessness, innocence, ingenuousness, naturalness

(noun) the quality of innocent naivete

innocence

(noun) a state or condition of being innocent of a specific crime or offense; “the trial established his innocence”

purity, pureness, sinlessness, innocence, whiteness

(noun) the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong; lacking a knowledge of evil

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

innocence (countable and uncountable, plural innocences)

Absence of responsibility for a crime, tort, etc.

Synonym: unguilt

Antonym: guilt

Lack of understanding about sensitive subjects such as sexuality and crime.

Synonym: naivety

Lack of ability or intention to harm or damage.

Synonym: harmlessness

Antonym: harmfulness

(obsolete) Imbecility; mental deficiency.

Source: Wiktionary

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In"no*cence, n. Etym: [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. Shak. 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.

4. Simplicity or plainness, bordering on weakness or silliness; artlessness; ingenuousness. Chaucer. Shak.

Syn.

– Harmlessness; innocuousness; blamelessness; purity; sinlessness; guiltlessness.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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