n.
Pronunciation: ' pär-d ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French pardun, pardoun , from parduner
Date: 14th century
1 : INDULGENCE 1
2 : the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty
3 a : a release from the legal penalties of an offense b : an official warrant of remission of penalty
4 : excuse or forgiveness for a fault, offense, or discourtesy <I beg your pardon >