5. To liberate; to set free; to deliver. [Obs.] I am confident he deserves much more That vindicates his country from a tyrant Than he that saves a citizen. Massinger.
6. To avenge; to punish; as, a war to vindicate or punish infidelity.
[Obs.] Bacon.
God is more powerful to exact subjection and to vindicate rebellion.
Bp. Pearson.
Syn.
— To assert; maintain; claim. See Assert.
VINDICATION Vin`di*ca"tion, n. Etym: [L. vindicatio a laying claim, defense, vindication. See Vindicate.]
1. The act of vindicating, or the state of being vindicated; defense; justification against denial or censure; as, the vindication of opinions; his vindication is complete. Occasion for the vindication of this passage in my book. Locke.
2. (Civil Law)
Defn: The claiming a thing as one's own; the asserting of a right or title in, or to, a thing. Burrill.
VINDICATIVE
Vin"di*ca*tive, a. Etym: [Cf. F. vindicatif. Cf. Vindictive.]
1. Tending to vindicate; vindicating; as, a vindicative policy.
2. Revengeful; vindictive. [Obs.] Vindicative persons live the life of witches, who, as they are mischievous, so end they infortunate. Bacon. — Vin"di*ca*tive*ness, n.