ex·on·er·ate /ig-'zä-nə-ˌrāt, eg-/ vt -at·ed, -at·ing [Latin exonerare to relieve, free, discharge, from ex- out + onerare to burden, from oner- onus load]
1: to relieve esp. of a charge, obligation, or hardship
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.