Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Pardon

Pardon (par"d'n) , noun

[French, from pardonner to pardon. See Pardon, transitive verb]

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. — Shakespeare
But infinite in pardon was my judge. — Milton
2.
An official warrant of remission of penalty.
Sign me a present pardon for my brother. — Shakespeare
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 amnesty, which is a general obliteration and canceling of a particular line of past offenses.

Pardon (par"d'nd) , transitive verb

[Either from pardon, n., or from French pardonner, Late Latin perdonare; Latin 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, pardon me. — Shakespeare
2.
To remit the penalty of; to suffer to pass without punishment; to forgive; -- applied to offenses.
I pray thee, pardon my sin. — 1 Sam. xv. 25
Apollo, pardon My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle! — Shakespeare
3.
To refrain from exacting as a penalty.
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. — Shakespeare
4.
To give leave (of departure) to. [Obsolete]
Even now about it! I will pardon you. — Shakespeare
Collocations (1)
Pardon me , forgive me; excuse me; -- a phrase used also to express courteous denial or contradiction, or to request forgiveness for a mild transgression, such as bumping a person while passing.