v.
Pronunciation: f ə r- ' giv, fo ̇ r-
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -gave \ - ' g ā v \ ; -giv · en \ - ' gi-v ə n \ ; -giv · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English forgifan, from for- + gifan to give
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to give up resentment of or claim to requital for < forgive an insult> b : to grant relief from payment of < forgive a debt>
2 : to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : PARDON < forgive one's enemies>
intransitive verb : to grant forgiveness
synonyms see EXCUSE
– for · giv · able \ - ' gi-v ə -b ə l \ adjective
– for · giv · ably \ -bl ē \ adverb
– for · giv · er noun