We have to go to Latin to be able to find the etymological origin of the term innocence. Specifically, it must be stated that it derives from the word "innocentia", which, in turn, comes from "innocens". This is the result of the sum of two lexical components of said language:
-The prefix «in-«, which can be translated as «no» or «without».
-The term "nocens" which derives from the verb "nocere", which is synonymous with "do harm".
The word came into our language as innocence . The term refers to the absence of guilt .
In its broadest sense, innocence is linked to the lack of guilt in relation to any type of sin, fault or crime . In this way, innocence appears associated with a pure state of the soul .
That purity , which has to do with the lack of evil, is also linked to candor . That is why innocence can be used as a synonym for naivety or credulity . For example: "It makes me angry that they take advantage of the innocence of children," "I can't understand your innocence!" How did you not notice it was a scam? , "I would love to recover the innocence of my childhood and believe that there are superheroes capable of defeating villains."
In addition to those indicated, we can establish the existence of other synonyms of the term at hand. This would be the case, for example, of candor, virginity , simplicity, simplicity or candor. On the contrary, among its antonyms we find words such as malice, mischief, lust and even guilt.
In addition to all of the above, we must not overlook the existence of an important film, already considered a cinema classic, that has the term in question in its title. We are referring to the feature film "The Age of Innocence", which was released in 1993 and which adapts the 1920 novel of the same name by the writer Edith Warthon.
Martin Scorsese is the director of said film, which stars actors of the stature of Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder and Michelle Pfeiffer and which takes as its setting the aristocratic society of New York City in 1870. It was nominated for several Oscars and won for best costume design.
In the judicial field, innocence refers to exemption from guilt . When, after the development of a trial, a judge issues a ruling and establishes the innocence of an accused, his resolution determines that the subject in question was not the author or responsible for a crime. This determination is reached after analyzing the evidence collected and listening to witnesses, victims and defendants.
Suppose that, in a trial , an attempt is made to clarify what happened in a business robbery. The only accused manages to prove that, at the time of the incident, he was more than 100 kilometers away. The court, convinced of the suspect's innocence, acquits him. This means that, for Justice, the accused did not participate in the criminal action.