The AI-powered English dictionary
countable and uncountable, plural innocences
Absence of responsibility for a crime, tort, etc. examples
Lack of understanding about sensitive subjects such as sexuality and crime. quotations examples
Eustace gaped at him in amazement. When his urbanity dropped away from him, as now, he had an innocence of expression which was almost infantile. It was as if the world had never touched him at all.
1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 9, in The China Governess
Lack of ability or intention to harm or damage. quotations examples
His unruly hair was slicked down with water, and as Jessamy introduced him to Miss Brindle his face assumed a cherubic innocence which would immediately have aroused the suspicions of anyone who knew him.
1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, page 96
(obsolete) Imbecility; mental deficiency.