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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

But infinite in pardon was my judge. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sign me a present pardon for my brother. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The state of being forgiven. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant. 2 Kings v. 18. [ 1913 Webster ]

I pray you, pardon me; pray heartily, pardon me. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To remit the penalty of; to suffer to pass without punishment; to forgive; -- applied to offenses. [ 1913 Webster ]

I pray thee, pardon my sin. 1 Sam. xv. 25. [ 1913 Webster ]

Apollo, pardon
My great profaneness 'gainst thine oracle! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To refrain from exacting as a penalty. [ 1913 Webster ]

I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To give leave (of departure) to. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Even now about it! I will pardon you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. pardonnable. ] Admitting of pardon; not requiring the excution of penalty; venial; excusable; -- applied to the offense or to the offender; as, a pardonable fault, or culprit. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being pardonable; as, the pardonableness of sin. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a manner admitting of pardon; excusably. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who pardons. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A seller of indulgences. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to pardon; having or exercising the right to pardon; willing to pardon; merciful; as, the pardoning power; a pardoning God. [ 1913 Webster ]