Pardon

Par"don, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pardoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pardoning.] [Either fr. pardon, n., or from F. pardonner, LL. perdonare; L. per through, thoroughly, perfectly + donare to give, to present. See Par- , and Donation.] 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.

I pray you, pardon me; pray heartily, pardom me.

2. To remit the penalty of; to suffer to pass without punishment; to forgive; -- applied to offenses.

I pray thee, pardon my sin.

Apollo, pardon
My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle ?

3. To refrain from exacting as a penalty.

I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it.

4. To give leave (of departure) to. [Obs.]

Even now about it! I will pardon you.

Pardon me, forgive me; excuse me; -- a phrase used also to express courteous denial or contradiction.

Syn. -- To forgive; absolve; excuse; overlook; remit; acquit. See Excuse.

Par"don (?), n. [F., fr. pardonner to pardon. See Pardon, v. t.] 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.

But infinite in pardon was my judge.

Used in expressing courteous denial or contradiction; as, I crave your pardon; or in indicating that one has not understood another; as, I beg pardon.

2. An official warrant of remission of penalty.

Sign me a present pardon for my brother.

3. The state of being forgiven. South.

4. (Law) A release, by a sovereign, or officer having jurisdiction, from the penalties of an offense, being distinguished from amenesty, which is a general obliteration and canceling of a particular line of past offenses.

Syn. -- Forgiveness; remission. See Forgiveness.