pardon

[ pahr-dn ]
/ ˈpɑr dn /

noun

verb (used with object)

interjection

(used, with rising inflection, as an elliptical form of I beg your pardon, as when asking a speaker to repeat something not clearly heard or understood.)

Origin of pardon

1250–1300; Middle English (noun and v.) < Old French pardon (noun) remission, indulgence, noun derivative of pardoner (v.) < Medieval Latin perdōnāre to remit, overlook, literally, to forgive, equivalent to Latin per- for- (see per-) + dōnāre to give; see donate; Medieval Latin v. perhaps a translation from Germanic

SYNONYMS FOR pardon

3 absolution, remission. Pardon, amnesty, reprieve are nouns referring to the cancellation, or delay with the possibility of eventual cancellation, of a punishment or penalty assigned for the violation of a military regulation or a civil law; absolution from guilt is not implied, merely a remission of the penalty. A pardon is granted to an individual, often by the action of a government official such as a governor, president, or monarch, and releases the individual from any punishment due for the infraction of the law, as a death sentence, prison term, or fine: to be released from prison with a full pardon. An amnesty is a pardon granted to a group of persons for past offenses against a government; it often includes an assurance of no future prosecution: to grant amnesty to political prisoners; an amnesty period for delinquent taxpayers during which no penalties are assessed. A reprieve is a delay of impending punishment, especially a death sentence; it does not cancel or remit the punishment, it simply delays it, usually for a specific period of time or until a decision can be arrived at as to the possibility of pardon or reduction of sentence: a last-minute reprieve, allowing the filing of an appeal to the Supreme Court.
6 acquit, clear. See excuse.
7 forgive, absolve, condone, overlook.

OTHER WORDS FROM pardon

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pardon

commute forgive pardon (see synonym study at the current entry)

Words nearby pardon

Example sentences from the Web for pardon

British Dictionary definitions for pardon

pardon
/ (ˈpɑːdən) /

verb (tr)

to excuse or forgive (a person) for (an offence, mistake, etc) to pardon someone; to pardon a fault

noun

forgiveness; allowance
  1. release from punishment for an offence
  2. the warrant granting such release
a Roman Catholic indulgence

sentence substitute

Also: pardon me, I beg your pardon
  1. sorry; excuse me
  2. what did you say?

Derived forms of pardon

pardonable, adjective pardonably, adverb pardonless, adjective

Word Origin for pardon

C13: from Old French, from Medieval Latin perdōnum, from perdōnāre to forgive freely, from Latin per (intensive) + dōnāre to grant

Idioms and Phrases with pardon

pardon

see beg to differ; excuse me.