The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pardon \Par"don\ (p[aum]r"d'n), 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.
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            Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings. --Shak.
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            But infinite in pardon was my judge.  --Milton.
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   Usage: Used in expressing courteous denial or contradiction;
          as, I beg your pardon; or in indicating that one has
          not understood another; as, I beg pardon; or pardon
          me?.
          [1913 Webster +PJC]

   2. An official warrant of remission of penalty.
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            Sign me a present pardon for my brother. --Shak.
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   3. The state of being forgiven. --South.
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   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.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Forgiveness; remission. See Forgiveness.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pardon \Par"don\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pardoned (p[aum]r"d'nd);
   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.
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            In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant. --2 Kings
                                                  v. 18.
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            I pray you, pardon me; pray heartily, pardon me.
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. To remit the penalty of; to suffer to pass without
      punishment; to forgive; -- applied to offenses.
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            I pray thee, pardon my sin.           --1 Sam. xv.
                                                  25.
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            Apollo, pardon
            My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle! --Shak.
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   3. To refrain from exacting as a penalty.
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            I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. --Shak.
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   4. To give leave (of departure) to. [Obs.]
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            Even now about it! I will pardon you. --Shak.
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   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.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

   Syn: To forgive; absolve; excuse; overlook; remit; acquit.
        See Excuse.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

pardon
    n 1: the act of excusing a mistake or offense [syn:
         forgiveness, pardon]
    2: a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense
       [syn: pardon, amnesty]
    3: the formal act of liberating someone [syn: amnesty,
       pardon, free pardon]
    v 1: accept an excuse for; "Please excuse my dirty hands" [syn:
         excuse, pardon]
    2: grant a pardon to; "Ford pardoned Nixon"; "The Thanksgiving
       turkey was pardoned by the President"

The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

PARDON, v.  To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime.  To
add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.