absolvern.

1582 G. T. tr. R. Parsons Epist. Persecution Catholickes in Eng. 60 Yf any persone do eyther ayd or conceale..the absoluer or the absolued [Fr. celuy qui aura absouls, ou qui aura esté absouls; L. absolventem, absolutum], the procurer, counceler dissuader, or suche like.

1629 H. Burton Babel No Bethel 44 The Intention of the Absoluer cannot be evident.

1669 H. More Antidote Idolatry i They that take upon them to be the only absolvers of sin, are themselves held fast in the snares of eternal death.

1701 M. Pix Czar of Muscovy iii. ii. 31 This is his Creature; the Pander to his most Licentious Pleasures, and his Absolver for them.

1738 R. White Use Publick Instr. 15 What need such Persons may have, or think they may have, of Confessors and Absolvers.

1827 J. Keble Christian Year II. lvi. 23 The absolver saw the mighty grief And hasten'd with relief.

1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 681 The public feeling was strongly against the three absolvers [of William III's would-be assassins].

1955 W. N. Pittinger in L. Rosten Guide Relig. Amer. 53 An Episcopal minister..is also celebrant of the Holy Communion—absolver, teacher, shepherd of his flock.

2006 D. Luban in K. J. Greenberg Torture Debate in Amer. i. 70 Giving the client skewed advice because the client wants it is a different role from either advocate or advisor. One might call it the Lawyer As Absolver.