Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Pardon
Par′don (pär′d'n), n. [F., fr. pardonner to pardon. See Pardon, v. t.] 1. The act of pardoning; forgiveness, as of an offender, or of an offense; release from penalty; remission of punishment; absolution.
Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings. Shak.
But infinite in pardon was my judge. Milton.
Used in expressing courteous denial or contradiction; as, I crave your pardon; or in indicating that one has not understood another; as, I beg pardon.
2. An official warrant of remission of penalty.
Sign me a present pardon for my brother. Shak.
3. The state of being forgiven. South.
4. (Law) A release, by a sovereign, or officer having jurisdiction, from the penalties of an offense, being distinguished from amenesty, which is a general obliteration and canceling of a particular line of past offenses.
Syn. — Forgiveness; remission. See Forgiveness.
Par′don, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pardoned; p. pr. & vb. n. Pardoning.] [Either fr. pardon, n., or from F. pardonner, LL. perdonare; L. per through, thoroughly, perfectly + donare to give, to present. See Par-, and Donation.] 1. To absolve from the consequences of a fault or the punishment of crime; to free from penalty; — applied to the offender.
In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant. 2 Kings v. 18.
I pray you, pardon me; pray heartily, pardom me. Shak.
2. To remit the penalty of; to suffer to pass without punishment; to forgive; — applied to offenses.
I pray thee, pardon my sin. 1 Sam. xv. 25.
Apollo, pardon My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle ! Shak.
3. To refrain from exacting as a penalty.
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. Shak.
4. To give leave (of departure) to. [Obs.]
Even now about it! I will pardon you. Shak.
Pardon me, forgive me; excuse me; — a phrase used also to express courteous denial or contradiction.
Syn. — To forgive; absolve; excuse; overlook; remit; acquit. See Excuse.