par·don
(päŕdn)
[Middle English pardonen, from Old French pardoner, from Vulgar Latin* perdōnāre, to give wholeheartedly, Latin per-, intensive pref.; see per–, + Latin dōnāre, to present, forgive (from dōnum, gift; see dō-).]
transitive verb: -doned, -don·ing, -dons.
- To release (a person) from punishment; exempt from penalty: a convicted criminal who was pardoned by the governor.
- To let (an offense) pass without punishment.
- To make courteous allowance for; excuse: Pardon me, I'm in a hurry. See synonyms at forgive
noun
- The act of pardoning.
- Law
- Exemption of a convicted person from the penalties of an offense or crime by the power of the executor of the laws.
- An official document or warrant declaring such an exemption.
- Allowance or forgiveness for an offense or a discourtesy: begged the host's pardon for leaving early.
- Roman Catholic Church An indulgence.
derivatives
- paŕdon·a·ble
- adjective
- paŕdon·a·ble·ness
- noun
- paŕdon·a·bly
- adverb