In"no*cent (?), a. [F.innocent, L. innocens, -entis; pref. in- not + nocens, p.pr. of nocere to harm, hurt. See Noxious.]

1.

Not harmful; free from that which can injure; innoxious; innocuous; harmless; as, an innocent medicine or remedy.

The spear Sung innocent,and spent its force in air. Pope.

2.

Morally free from guilt; guiltless; not tainted with sin; pure; upright.

To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb. Shak.

I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. Matt. xxvii. 4.

The aidless,innocent lady, his wished prey. Milton.

3.

Free from the guilt of a particular crime or offense; as, a man is innocent of the crime charged.

Innocent from the great transgression. Ps. xix. 13.

4.

Simple; artless; foolish.

Shak.

5.

Lawful; permitted; as, an innocent trade.

6.

Not contraband; not subject to forfeiture; as, innocent goods carried to a belligerent nation.

Innocent party Law,a party who has not notice of a fact tainting a litigated transaction with illegality.

Syn. -- Harmless; innoxious; innoffensive; guiltless; spotless; immaculate; pure; unblamable; blameless; faultless; guileless; upright.

 

© Webster 1913.


In"no*cent, n.

1.

An innocent person; one free from, or unacquainted with, guilt or sin.

Shak.

2.

An unsophisticated person; hence, a child; a simpleton; an idiot.

B. Jonson.

In Scotland a natural fool was called an innocent. Sir W. Scott.

Innocents' day Eccl., Childermas day.

 

© Webster 1913.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.