delivered / released
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delivered
In elevated or medical language, the state of having given birth to a child. It is the past participle of the verb 'entbinden' (to deliver a baby).
Die Patientin wurde gestern von einem gesunden Jungen entbunden.
The patient was delivered of a healthy baby boy yesterday.
released
In formal or legal language, the state of having been released from a duty, promise, or task.
Nach Abschluss des Projekts war er von all seinen Verpflichtungen entbunden.
After the project was completed, he was released from all his obligations.
'Entbunden' (delivered/released) is the past participle of the inseparable verb 'entbinden' (to deliver/release). The prefix 'ent-' here means a freeing or releasing from something, which explains both meanings.
Der Arzt wird die Patientin morgen von ihren Pflichten entbinden.
The doctor will release the patient from her duties tomorrow.
The word 'entbunden' (delivered/released) belongs to a formal, elevated style in both meanings. In everyday language, other formulations would be used.
Sie wurde von ihrer Geheimhaltungspflicht offiziell entbunden.
She was officially released from her duty of confidentiality.
The context makes the meaning clear: a medical or family context points to a birth. A professional, legal, or formal context points to being released from a duty.
Die junge Mutter wurde im örtlichen Krankenhaus entbunden.
The young mother gave birth at the local hospital.
In the meaning 'to be released', the preposition 'von' with the dative almost always follows in order to name the duty or task from which someone is released.
Er ist nun von der Verantwortung für dieses alte Projekt entbunden.
He is now released from responsibility for this old project.
to free
Befreien and entbunden can both express that someone no longer has to fulfill a duty or task. Befreien is the general term for removing a burden; entbunden sounds more formal and emphasizes the removal of an existing obligation. That is why entbunden is often suitable in official notices.
Der Arzt erklärte sie vorübergehend von ihrer täglichen Pflicht entbunden.
The doctor declared her temporarily released from her daily duty.
Der Arzt befreite sie vorübergehend von ihrer täglichen Pflicht.
The doctor temporarily relieved her of her daily duty.
