online medical dictionary | definition of innocent

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

2. An unsophisticated person; hence, a child; a simpleton; an idiot. "In Scotland a natural fool was called an innocent." (Sir W. Scott) Innocents' day, Childermas day.

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.

5. Lawful; permitted; as, an innocent trade.

6. Not contraband; not subject to forfeiture; as, innocent goods carried to a belligerent nation. Innocent party,a party who has not notice of a fact tainting a litigated transaction with illegality.

Synonyms: Harmless, innoxious, innoffensive, guiltless, spotless, immaculate, pure, unblamable, blameless, faultless, guileless, upright.

Origin: F.innocent, L. Innocens, -entis; pref. In- not + nocens, p.pr. Of nocere to harm, hurt. See Noxious.

(01 Mar 1998)