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Entry 8 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Pardon

/(pär"d'n)/ · Par·don · IPA /ˈpɑɹdn̩/
01 n. The act of pardoning; forgiveness, as of an offender, or of an offense; release from penalty; remission of punishment; absolution.
  1. 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.
  2. 2.
    An official warrant of remission of penalty.
    “Sign me a present pardon for my brother.” — Shak.
  3. 3.
    The state of being forgiven.
  4. 4.
    A release, by a sovereign, or officer having jurisdiction, from the penalties of an offense, being distinguished from amnesty, which is a general obliteration and canceling of a particular line of past offenses.(Law)
Syn. Forgiveness; remission. See Forgiveness.
Used in expressing courteous denial or contradiction; as, I beg your pardon; or in indicating that one has not understood another; as, I beg pardon; or pardon me?.
02 v. t. To absolve from the consequences of a fault or the punishment of crime; to free from penalty; -- applied to the offender.
imp. & p. p. Pardoned; p. pr. & vb. n. Pardoning
  1. 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, pardon me.” — Shak.
  2. 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. 3.
    To refrain from exacting as a penalty.
    “I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.” — Shak.
  4. 4.
    To give leave (of departure) to.[Obs.]
    “Even now about it! I will pardon you.” — Shak.
Phrases & compounds
Pardon me — forgive me; excuse me; -- a phrase used also to express courteous denial or contradiction, or to request forgiveness for a mild transgression, such as bumping a person while passing.
Syn. To forgive; absolve; excuse; overlook; remit; acquit. See Excuse.