I. ˈpär-d ə n 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
II. transitive verb
( par·doned ; par·don·ing ˈpärd-niŋ, ˈpär-d ə n-iŋ)
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French parduner, from Late Latin perdonare to grant freely, from Latin per- thoroughly + donare to give — more at parboil , donation
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : to absolve from the consequences of a fault or crime
b. : to allow (an offense) to pass without punishment : forgive
c. : to relieve of a penalty improperly assessed
2. : tolerate
Synonyms: see excuse