online medical dictionary | definition of pardon

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. "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.

Synonyms: To forgive, absolve, excuse, overlook, remit, asquit. See Excuse.

Origin: Either fr. Pardon, n, or from F. Pardonner, LL. Perdonare; L. Per through, thoroughly, perfectly + donare to give, to present. See Par-, and Donation.

(01 Mar 1998)