Main Entry:

²pardon

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

par·doned; par·don·ing \ˈpärd-niŋ, ˈpär-d^ən-iŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French parduner, from Late Latin perdonare to grant freely, from Latin per- thoroughly + donare to give — more at parboil, donation

Date:

15th century

1 a: to absolve from the consequences of a fault or crime b: to allow (an offense) to pass without punishment : forgive c: to relieve of a penalty improperly assessed2: tolerate

synonyms see excuse