Main Entry:

¹par·don

Pronunciation:

\ˈpär-d^ən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French pardun, pardoun, from parduner

Date:

14th century

1: indulgence 12: the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty3 a: a release from the legal penalties of an offense b: an official warrant of remission of penalty4: excuse or forgiveness for a fault, offense, or discourtesy <I beg your pardon>