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par·don (pärdn)
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tr.v. par·doned, par·don·ing, par·dons
1. To release (a person) from punishment or disfavor for wrongdoing or a fault: a convicted criminal who was pardoned by the governor. See Synonyms at forgive.
2. To allow (an offense or fault) to pass without punishment or disfavor.
3. To make courteous allowance for; excuse: Pardon me, I'm in a hurry.
n.
1. The act of pardoning.
2. Law
a. Exemption of a convicted person from the penalties of an offense or crime by the power of the executor of the laws.
b. An official document or warrant declaring such an exemption.
3. Allowance or forgiveness for an offense or a discourtesy: begged the host's pardon for leaving early.
4. Roman Catholic Church An indulgence.
[Middle English pardonen, from Old French pardoner, from Vulgar Latin *perdōnāre, to give wholeheartedly : Latin per-, intensive pref.; see PER- + Latin dōnāre, to present, forgive (from dōnum, gift; see dō- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).]
pardon·a·ble adj.
pardon·a·bly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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