Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX-ON'ER-ATE, v.t. [egzon'erate; L. exonere; ex and onero, to load, onus, a load.]

1. To unload; to disburden. The vessels exonerate themselves into a common duct. Ray. But more generally, in a figurative sense,
2. To cast off, as a charge or as blame resting on one; to clear of something that lies upon the character as an imputation; as, to exonerate one's self from blame, or from the charge of avarice.
3. To cast off; as an obligation, debt or duty; to discharge of responsibility or liability; as, a surety exonerates himself by producing a man in court.