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.
Shak.
But infinite in pardon was my
judge.
Milton.
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.
Shak.
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.
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.
2 Kings v. 18.
I pray you, pardon me; pray heartily,
pardom me.
Shak.
2. To remit the penalty of; to suffer to pass
without punishment; to forgive; -- applied to offenses.
I pray thee, pardon my sin.
1
S&?;&?;. xv. 25.
Apollo, pardon
My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle &?;
Shak.
3. To refrain from exacting as a
penalty.
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask
it.
Shak.
4. To give leave (of departure) to.
[Obs.]
Even now about it! I will pardon
you.
Shak.
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.
