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