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 assessed
2 : tolerate

synonyms see excuse